# NTSB ATL92LA114: Hopkins, R. And M. Protech PT-2, N523MH, Landrum, SC, May 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1992, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Landrum, SC
- Coordinates: 35.17031, -82.180091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1703&lon=-82.1801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA114

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT. FACTORS WERE THE INADEQUATE CLIMB CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A GRASS RUNWAY. ON THE INITIAL CLIMB, HE OBTAINED AN AIRSPEED OF 45 KNOTS, AND AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 40 FEET AGL. WHEN HE COULD NOT CLIMB HIGHER THAN 40 FEET, HE ELECTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE ON THE GRASS. HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE, AND THE NOSE DROPPED SHARPLY. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE, RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. A POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND NONE WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 4 HOURS SINCE NEW; THIS WAS ALSO THE PILOT'S TOTAL FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N523MH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N523MH-1995-03-23), registration cancelled 1995-03-23, S/N PT1093 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOPKINS, R. AND M. PROTECH PT-2 (PROTECH PT)
- Registry model: [Hopkins R / Hopkins M PROTECH PT-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/hopkins-r-hopkins-m-protech-pt-2) (registry code 05618E6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: PT 1093
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hopkins, Richard G.
- Registered owner: Hopkins, Richard G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000, 4 hours before
- Departed: 33A
- Airport: 33A, Fairview, runway 14, 2,774 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 16 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 19920531020569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920531020569A), May 31, 1992: Amtr PT2, Landrum, SC, Substantial damage. Unable to climb above 40 feet AGL on takeoff. Aborted due to trees. Wing and nose dropped suddenly. Hard impact.

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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