# NTSB ATL00LA071: Ryskamp Sonex, N202BA, Greenville, SC, July 29, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 2000, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.849712, -82.400177 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8497&lon=-82.4002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50079
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50079/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA071

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudgment of airspeed and altitude resulting in an undershoot.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

The pilot stated that this was a test flight for the experimental airplane. The pilot reported that he was low on the final approach to land and collided with ground short of the grass landing strip. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On July 29, 2000, about 1715 eastern daylight time, a Ryskamp Sonex, experimental airplane, N202BA, collided with the ground short of the runway while attempting a landing, in Greenville, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this local flight. The private pilot received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight departed Greenville, South Carolina, at 1700 eastern daylight time.

The pilot stated the following: "This was the test flight for an experimental aircraft that I had built. The flight was for 15 minutes and I was staying in the airport pattern. Upon landing, I came in with a low approach so as to make full use of the runway length. Upon reaching the end of the runway, the aircraft was descending unexpectedly fast. The wheels caught the embankment at the end of the runway and flipped over. I was able to exit the aircraft on my own".

The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N202BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N202BA-2023-05-08), registration cancelled 2023-05-08, S/N 060653, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ryskamp SONEX
- Registry model: [Ryskamp Bruce A SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryskamp-bruce-a-sonex) (registry code 056085Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 060653
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: Volkswagen 2180 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce A. Ryskemp
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 2000, 1 hours before
- Departed: SC
- Airport: NONE, Flying Few, runway 27, 1,800 × 65 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 39 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GMU, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20000729028949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000729028949A), Jul 29, 2000: Amtr SONEX, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot stated that this was a test flight for the experimental airplane. The pilot reported that he was low on the final approach to land and collided…

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.

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