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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 20, 2003 · Globe GC-1B · N80978

Cottonwood, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cottonwood, ID
Aircraft
Globe GC-1B
Tail Number
N80978
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03LA175

While flaring to land, an updraft caused the airplane to rise and touchdown on the main landing gear somewhat hard. After the aircraft bounced, the pilot initiated a go-around with the carburetor heat on and the flaps in the down position. Full power was added, but the plane mushed and came back down, resulting in the left main landing gear collapsing. The aircraft exited the left side of the runway and down a slight incline before impacting a fence and coming to rest in an adjoining pasture.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident were the updraft, the terrain drop-off, and the fence.

Full Narrative

On August 20, 2003, approximately 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Globe GC-1B single-engine airplane, N80978, sustained substantial damage after a hard landing at the Cottonwood Municipal Airport (S64), Cottonwood, Idaho. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Orofino Municipal Airport, Orofino, Idaho, at 0910 In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, and according to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that while flaring to land an updraft caused the airplane to rise and touch down on the main landing gear "somewhat hard," causing the aircraft to bounce. The pilot stated that after it bounced he initiated a go-around with the carburetor heat on and the flaps in the down position. The pilot stated that despite adding full power the plane mushed and came back down, resulting in the left main landing gear collapsing. The airplane exited the runway down an incline to the left, impacted a fence, and came to rest upright in the adjoining pasture on the south side of the airstrip. In addition to the damaged left main landing gear, both wings were substantially damaged, and the propeller was damaged due to a propeller strike. .

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 PDT
Nearest AirportCottonwood Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGlobe GC-1B
Tail NumberN80978
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C125 · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time16:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data