# NTSB CEN09CA349: Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, N3812F, Hamilton, TX, June 7, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 7, 2009, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, TX
- Coordinates: 31.698333, -98.096389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6983&lon=-98.0964&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA349
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74015/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74015
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA349

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while on short final.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot was on the third leg of a cross-country flight when he lost his ground reference and became lost. He saw an airfield and decided to land and determine his location. While on short final approach, the airplane descended below a normal glideslope and the airplane's left main landing gear contacted a tree. The airplane's airspeed rapidly decayed and the airplane entered a stall, impacted terrain, and cartwheeled.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot was on the third leg of a cross-country flight when he lost his ground reference and became lost. He saw an airfield and decided to land and determine where he was. While on short final approach, the airplane was allowed to descend below a normal glideslope and the airplane's left main landing gear contacted a tree. The airplane's airspeed rapidly decayed and the airplane entered a stall, impacted terrain, and cartwheeled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3812F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3812F), registered now, S/N 0780, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GREAT LAKES 2T-1A-2
- Registry model: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/great-lakes-2t-1a-2) (registry code 3910101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0780
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: BVO, Bartlesville, OK
- Destination: 1TX6, Hamilton, TX
- Airport: 1TX6, Muxworthy Airport, runway 25, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KMNZ, 3 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 20090607007859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090607007859A), Jun 7, 2009: Grtlks 2T1A2, Hamilton, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot became lost. Pilot decided to land and ask his location. On short final approach pilot hit a tree with left main landing gear. Airspeed decayed so…

## Other investigations on N3812F (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 MKC79DCD27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DCD27), Jul 1, 1979: GR Lakes 2T-1A2 (N3812F), Algona, IA, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74015. 17 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (not provided) (item 1, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(not%20provided)-Master.PDF

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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