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April 26, 2008 · Ervin SHA Glasair · N41SS

Elk Creek, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 26, 2008
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Elk Creek, CA
Aircraft
Ervin SHA Glasair
Tail Number
N41SS
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08CA123

Following a normal approach for landing on the short grass runway, the airplane touched down two times before the pilot added power to abort the landing. As he added power to takeoff, the airplane touched down a third time. He tried to hold the airplane in ground effect to allow the airplane to accelerate to climb airspeed; however, he was not able to maintain the airplane's altitude and the airplane touched down a final time. As the airplane bounced into the air, he made a turn to the left to avoid a fence and trees at the end of the runway. The airplane was headed towards an enclosed valley, so the pilot made a slight right turn towards uphill tree covered terrain. He reduced the power and placed the airplane in a nose high attitude prior to colliding with a tall tree.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged landing flare, inadequate bounced landing recovery technique, and failure to attain and maintain an adquate airspeed during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the short runway.

Full Narrative

The pilot made a normal approach for landing at a grass strip. After clearing trees on final, he slowed the airplane to 75 miles per hour (mph), and then he had to add power to slow his descent. The airplane touched down near the beginning of the 2,000-foot runway; the pilot estimated he had 1,800 feet of runway remaining after touchdown. After the initial touchdown the airplane bounced into the air, landed, and bounced back into the air again. At that point, the pilot was at his "normal spot for a go/no-go decision for a go-around." As he added power to go around, the airplane touched down for a third time. The pilot believed he had 1,400 feet of runway remaining. He tried to hold the airplane in ground effect until the airplane could accelerate. The pilot was not able to maintain altitude and the airplane touched down on the runway again with 700 feet of runway remaining. The pilot stated that at that point his options were limited to hitting a fence or the trees at the end of the runway. The airplane had become airborne after the final bounce. The pilot turned the airplane to the left towards a valley with "no way out." He realized that he had to pick a spot to put the airplane down, so he turned the airplane to the right toward an upsloping hill with trees. The pilot reduced the power and placed the airplane in a nose high attitude prior to colliding with a tall oak tree. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. In his written report, the pilot reported that he has had over 20 years of flying experience in a Cessna, and he was very familiar with the runway. He had also completed extensive training in the accident airplane at the accident airport. The pilot identified several different factors in the accident flight that allowed the airplane to not reach an airspeed that was suitable for a go-around; passenger weight, multiple touchdowns, and upslope of the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 PDT
Nearest AirportDiamond M Ranch Airport (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftErvin SHA Glasair
Tail NumberN41SS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data