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February 22, 2006 · Wheeler Pitts Special · N55MW

Fulton, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 22, 2006
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Fulton, MO
Aircraft
Wheeler Pitts Special
Tail Number
N55MW
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI06LA085

The experimental amatuer-built airplane impacted terrain during a visual approach to landing on an 1,800 foot long turf runway at a private airstrip. The pilot stated that due to trees at the approach end of the runway, a steeper than normal glide path is required. He said that during the approach, he could not slip the airplane to gain forward visibility because it was too slow and steep. The airplane impacted an embankment at the approach end of the runway during landing and nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

The altitude/clearance not obtained/maintained during landing by the pilot. Contributing factors were the trees, the embankment, the runway length, and the reduced visual lookout during the approach.

Full Narrative

On February 22, 2006, at 1600 central standard time, an experimental amateur-built Wheeler Pitts Special, N55MW, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, impacted terrain during landing at Sky-Go Farms Airport (73MU), Fulton, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received minor injuries. The local flight originated from Elton Hensley Memorial Airport (FTT), Fulton, Missouri, at 1545. The pilot was attempting a visual approach to land on runway 27 at 73MU. The pilot stated that trees at the approach end of runway 27 require a steeper than normal glide path. During the approach, the airplane was too slow and steep to slip the airplane to gain forward visibility. On short final, the pilot noticed an increased sink rate, "possibly [from convection] current or downdraft from slope of runway and surrounding terrain". The pilot stated that during landing, the airplane impacted an embankment, slid for about 100 feet, nosed over, and came to a stop inverted. The pilot stated that his exit from the airplane was aided by a cracked canopy from the rollover. He manually broke a hole through the canopy and exited the airplane. Sky-Go Farms Airport (73MU) is a private airstrip served by runways 9-27 (1,800 feet by 60 feet, turf) and runways 18-36 (1,800 feet by 60 feet, turf). The pilot stated that the runway 27 approach end possessed a 45-degree embankment that was one foot below the runway surface. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by: not attempting a short field landing, adding more power on final and landing a bit longer, and adding full power and executing a go-around.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CST
Nearest AirportSky-Go Farms Airport (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWheeler Pitts Special
Tail NumberN55MW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360-B4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 19 C
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time21:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data