# NTSB ATL05CA119: Globe GC-1B, N10KS, Athens, TN, June 19, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2005, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Athens, TN
- Coordinates: 35.39722, -84.5625
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3972&lon=-84.5625&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Nashville
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA119

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting a routine landing, at McMinn County Airport when the accident occurred. The pilot was approximately 15 feet above the runway when he began his flare. He then nosed his plane down and forced a landing touching down on his main gear. The pilot stated that he "landed very hard" he then taxied to the hangar. Post examination of the airplane revealed flight surfaces were intact. The airplane had damage to its center section of the airframe, and some rivet heads were detached. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On June 19, 2005, approximately 1400 eastern daylight time, a Globe Swift GC-1B airplane, N10KS, owned and operated by a private owner, collided with the runway during a landing at McMinn County Airport, in Athens, Tennessee. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed McMinn County Airport at approximately 1330, June 19, 2005.

The pilot was attempting a routine landing on runway 02 when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that the airplane was approximately 15 feet above the runway when he began his flare. The pilot then nosed the airplane down and forced a landing, touching down on the main landing gear. The pilot stated that the airplane "landed very hard"  and he then taxied the airplane to the hanger.

The post-accident examination of the airplane revealed flight surfaces were intact. The airplane had damage to the center section of the airframe, and some rivet heads were detached. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane.

This was the pilot's first flight within the last 90 days, and he only had about 25 hours of dual time in a tail-wheel airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10KS), registered now, S/N 388, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Globe GC-1B
- Registry model: [Globe GC-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1a) (registry code 9230102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 388
- Airframe hours: 2455
- Engines: Continental O300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Heathfield
- Registered owner: James E Heathfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2005, 32 hours before
- Departed: KMMI, Athens, TN
- Destination: KMMI, Athens, TN
- Airport: MMI, McMinn County Airport, runway 2, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,036 total, 32 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050619014879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050619014879A), Jun 19, 2005: Swftms GC1A, Athens, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot had not flown in 90 days. While attempting the first landing of this flight, the pilot stated that he flared too high, at an altitude now…

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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