# NTSB CEN11CA411: Worley Dennis Sonex, N563, Gardner, KS, June 18, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2011, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Gardner, KS - Coordinates: 38.806667, -94.956108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8067&lon=-94.9561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 80849 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA411 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80849/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80849 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA411 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path during the visual approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Worley Dennis SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=056153Y), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Worley Dennis SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056153Y), [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. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Worley Dennis SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056153Y), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Worley Dennis SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056153Y), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot entered the traffic pattern for a visual approach to the runway. He reported that the final approach descent was faster than he anticipated due to the high humidity and high density altitude. He added more engine power to arrest the descent rate, but the airplane landed short of the runway in a wet, grass field and came to rest upright. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the main landing gear separated and the aft carry-through wing spar was bent. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot entered the traffic pattern for a visual approach to the runway. The pilot reported the final approach descent was faster than he anticipated "due to the high humidity...high density altitude." The pilot added more engine power to arrest the descent rate; however, the airplane landed short of the runway in a wet, grass field. The airplane came to rest upright in the field. The examination of the airplane showed the main landing gear partially separated and the aft carry through wing spar was bent. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies or issues with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N563](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N563), registered now, S/N 474, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WORLEY DENNIS SONEX - Registry model: [Worley Dennis SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/worley-dennis-sonex) (registry code 056153Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 474 - Airframe hours: 141 - Engines: VOLKSWAGEN CONVERSION 36 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ted Thomas - Registered owner: Ted Thomas - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 17, 2011 - Departed: OJC, Olathe, KS - Destination: Gardner, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 16, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 121 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 20110618011349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110618011349A), Jun 18, 2011: Worley Dennis SONEX, Gardner, KS, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed johnson county executive airport (kojc) in olathe, KS, enroute to Gardner Municipal Airport (K34) in Gardner, KS. On the approach into K34,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80849. 321 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350903&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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.