# Accident 20181215022269A: Clifford E Massey AR-1, Anahuac, TX, December 15, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 15, 2018, 11:30 local time
- Place: Anahuac, TX
- Airport: Chambers County
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.7706° N, 94.6631° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7706&lon=-94.6631&mi=10
- Aircraft: N923DJ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N923DJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Clifford E Massey AR-1 (registry code 05634ZX, https://openairdocs.org/model/clifford-e-massey-ar-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 912ULS series (registry code 55572, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CLIFFORD E MASSEY AR-1
- Reported engine: ROTAX 912ULS
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 3,400 total, 180 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA19CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA101) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181215022269A

## Narrative

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

WHILE PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS ON THE GRASS RUNWAY 35 AT CHAMBERS COUNTY (T00), DURING THE THIRD LANDING, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF LIFT DURING THE FLARE DUE TO A POSSIBLE STRONG WIND SHEAR, RESULTING IN A VERTICAL DROP OF ABOUT FOUR FEET. PILOT IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED RECOVERY WITH FULL POWER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT A HARD LANDING DURING THE GO-ROUND WHICH CAUSED THE PROPELLER TO STRIKE THE BOTTOM KEEL. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED TO THE LEFT INITIALLY, BENDING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR, THE RATERS IMPACTED THE GROUND, AND THE DETACHABLE MAST SHEARED AT THE JUNCTION AND TWISTED OFF, STILL BEING HELD IN PLACE WITH THE CONTROL RODS. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ON THE MAST JUNCTION ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

MAJOR DAMAGE CAUSED WAS TO THE THREE PROPELLER BLADES WHICH SHEARED AT THE HUB, MAST SHEARED/BENT AT THE DETACHABLE JUNCTION, AND BOTH ROTOR BLADES GOUGED AND BENT.

MINOR DAMAGE TO HORIZONTAL STABILIZER ON LEFT SHEARED, PRE-ROTATOR VERTICAL SHAFT DETACHED/BENT AND UPPER CONTROL RODS BENT/BROKEN.

PILOT WAS UNINJURED.

## 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 GAA19CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA101), Dec 15, 2018: Clifford E Massey AR-1 (N923DJ), Anahuac, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions.

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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