# NTSB CEN14CA428: Great Lakes 2T 1A 2, N80AM, Frankfort, MI, August 3, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2014, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Frankfort, MI - Coordinates: 44.622776, -86.198059 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6228&lon=-86.1981&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA428 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89875/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89875 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA428 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing in gusty, crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot lack of recent tail wheel landing experience. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: recent experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: 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 pilot maneuvered the airplane to land on runway 33 at the destination airport. Wind was from 230 at 9 knots gusting to 15 knots. During the landing flare, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The nose of the airplane shifted 30 degrees from the runway heading so the pilot applied full power to perform a go-around. The left wing dropped and collided with terrain. The airplane was substantially damaged to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that he did not have recent experience in his tail wheel airplane. In addition, the pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot maneuvered the airplane to land on runway 33 at the destination airport. Wind was from 230 at 9 knots gusting to 15 knots. During the landing flare, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The nose of the airplane shifted 30 degrees from the runway heading so the pilot applied full power to perform a go-around. The left wing dropped and collided with terrain. The airplane was substantially damaged to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that he did not have recent experience in his tail wheel airplane. In addition, the pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80AM), registered now, S/N 0829, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GREAT LAKES 2T 1A 2 (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: 0829 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 1200 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Private Individual - Registered owner: Irish Express LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FKS, Frankfort, MI - Destination: FKS, Frankfort, MI - Airport: FKS, Frankfort Dow Memorial Field, runway 33, 4,050 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KFKS ## 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 20140803013149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140803013149A), Aug 3, 2014: Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, Frankfort, MI, Substantial damage. On August 3, 2014 at 1330 EST, a Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 biplane N80AM, registered to owner irish express LLC. Crashed on landing on runway 33 Frankfort (fks)… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89875. 88 KB in all. - Record of Conversation (item 1, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417241&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-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. --- 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.