# Accident 20170301015039A: Smith Douglas J SONEX, Mercey Hot Spri, CA, March 1, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 1, 2017, 11:35 local time
- Place: Mercey Hot Spri, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.7064° N, 120.8600° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7064&lon=-120.8600&mi=10
- Aircraft: N801SX, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N801SX-2018-05-31) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Smith Douglas J SONEX (registry code 056264U, https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-douglas-j-sonex) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Jabiru 3300 (registry code 34802, https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH DOUGLAS J SONEX
- Reported engine: JABIRU 3300
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Sport pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA17CA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA171) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170301015039A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

MERCY HOT SPRINGS, CA: N801SX, SONEX (EXP), (PETALUMA-MERCY HOT SPRINGS) PILOT REPORTED MISJUDING LANDING, WAS 50 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY,  HIT THE TOP WIRE OF A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND THEN FLIPPED OVER. CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE GEAR, UNDERCARRIAGE AND VERTICAL STAB. PILOT STATED THE HE WAS NO LONGER GOING TO FLY AND WILL SURRENDER HIS CERTIFICATE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA17CA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA171), Mar 1, 2017: Smith Douglas J. Sonex (N801SX), Mercey Hot Springs, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The sport pilot’s unstabilized approach with a tailwind, which resulted in touchdown short of the runway and a subsequent nose-over.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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