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August 21, 1999 · Alson G Siler CH-701 · N4394S

Mount Pleasant, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Mount Pleasant, NC
Aircraft
Alson G Siler CH-701
Tail Number
N4394S
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA231

The pilot spent 5 years building the airplane which was signed off 4 days earlier by the FAA for 40 hours test phase. He had flown the airplane 2 previous times that day, each for 30 minutes. The accident flight departed, then returned to the airport and he stated that he was landing using runway 21 for the first time. He was on a long, low, final approach, and the airplane bounced twice and headed towards a corn field. He applied full power to go-around but the airplane collided with the tops of trees adjacent to the field, then the ground. A witness reported seeing the airplane on a low approach and believed the airplane would land short of the runway. He heard power applied and the airplane cleared a road near the approach end of the runway, then heard power decreased and observed the nose landing gear contact. The airplane bounced, he then heard power applied then reduced, and the airplane bounced again. He then heard power applied, observed the airplane turn to the left, and collide with trees. Examination of the site by an FAA inspector revealed the airplane collided with trees 100-150 yards south of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to apply sufficient right rudder input during the go-around following a bounced landing and his failure to maintain runway alignment resulting in the in-flight collision with trees 100-150 yards to the left of the runway.

Full Narrative

On August 21, 1999, about 1930 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt airplane model CH-701, N4394S, registered to a private individual, collided with trees during a go-around from an attempted landing at the Bear Creek Airport, Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated about 30 minutes earlier from the Bear Creek Airport. The pilot stated that after spending 5 years to build the airplane, it was inspected by the FAA 4 days earlier and was signed off for 40 hours test phase. He had flown the airplane two previous times that day, each for 30 minutes. The accident flight departed, then returned to the airport and he stated that he was landing using runway 21 for the first time. He was on a long, low, final approach, and the airplane bounced twice then headed towards a corn field. He applied full power to go-around but the airplane collided with the tops of trees adjacent to the field, then the ground. A witness reported seeing the airplane on a low approach and believed the airplane was going to be short of the threshold by about 50 yards. He heard power applied and noted that the airplane cleared a dirt road near the approach end of the runway. He then heard power decreased and the airplane nosed over. The nose landing gear then contacted and the airplane bounced 10 feet in the air. He heard power applied then reduced and the airplane bounced again. He then heard power applied and observed the airplane turn to the left toward trees and pitch up to about 30 degrees. The airplane then contacted the tree tops with the bottom of the fuselage. Examination of the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane collided with trees approximately 100-150 yards south of the southern edge of runway 21.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 EDT
Nearest AirportBear Creek Airport (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length2080 ft
Runway Width85 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAlson G Siler CH-701
Tail NumberN4394S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data