# NTSB CEN09CA397: Weatherhead Peter L Stol CH 701, N861SD, Hayward, WI, June 29, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 29, 2009, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, WI
- Coordinates: 46.025001, -91.444168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0250&lon=-91.4442&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA397
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74167/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74167
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA397

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing during gusty wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience with the accident airplane.

## Findings

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

- [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Weatherhead Peter L STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=05605SF), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherhead Peter L STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05605SF), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherhead Peter L STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05605SF), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Weatherhead Peter L STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05605SF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Weatherhead Peter L STOL CH 701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05605SF), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot had purchased the airplane on the day of the accident. Prior to the flight, the pilot obtained a wind check from an employee at a local fixed base operator. The employee informed the pilot the wind was from 320 degrees at 10 to 12 knots and gusting to 16 knots. After departure, the pilot "found the winds to be much worse and had a hard time controlling the 1,000 [pound] gross weight plane." After several attempts to land on the different runways at the airport, the pilot elected to land the airplane in a field short of runway 02 (5,003 feet long by 100 feet wide). During the approach, the pilot flared the airplane 15 to 20 feet above the ground and the airplane "just sank." The airplane landed hard and the left main landing gear separated. In addition, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot had no prior experience in the accident airplane make and model prior to this flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot had purchased the airplane from the previous owner on the day of the accident. Prior to the flight, the pilot obtained a wind check from an employee at a local fixed base operator. The employee informed the pilot the wind was from 320 degrees at 10 to 12 knots and gusting to 16 knots. After departure, the pilot "found the winds to be much worse and had a hard time controlling the 1,000 [pound] gross weight plane." After several attempts to land on the different runways at the airport, the pilot elected to land the airplane in a field short of runway 02 (5,003 feet long by 100 feet wide). During the approach, the pilot flared the airplane 15 to 20 feet above the ground and the airplane "just sank." The airplane landed hard and the left main landing gear separated. In addition, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot had no prior experience in the accident airplane make and model prior to this flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N861SD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N861SD-2015-05-21), registration cancelled 2015-05-21, S/N 3539, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Weatherhead Peter L STOL CH 701
- Registry model: [Weatherhead Peter L STOL CH 701](https://openairdocs.org/model/weatherhead-peter-l-stol-ch-701) (registry code 05605SF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3539
- Airframe hours: 190
- Engines: Rotax 912 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 18, 2009
- Departed: HYR, Hayward, WI
- Destination: HYR, Hayward, WI
- Airport: HYR, Sawyer County Airport, runway 02, 5,003 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private, student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 18, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,260 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74167. 523 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316287&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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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