# NTSB CEN20CA067: Glasair 1, N238SH, Greenville, TX, January 26, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 26, 2020, 16:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Greenville, TX - Coordinates: 33.069168, -96.065277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0692&lon=-96.0653&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100875/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100875 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard landing, and his subsequent loss of airplane control during an attempted go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05623OZ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight was the pilot's initial flight in the airplane make and model. The pilot reported that, during the landing, he had no forward visibility. About 10 ft above the runway, he was unable to arrest the descent rate even with the control stick full aft. The airplane touched down hard, and the pilot added power for a go-around. He felt the airplane accelerate and attempted to maintain the airplane in a level attitude; however, the airplane began an uncommanded left roll. The pilot could not regain control of the airplane and reduced power to idle before the airplane touched down again, this time off the edge of the runway. The main landing gear dug into the soft ground, and the airplane spun around backward. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Before the flight, the pilot adjusted the linkage of the elevator to match design specifications. During the flight, he tested the stall characteristics of the airplane. Each time, the airplane stalled about 40 knots. The pilot reported that, at the time of the accident, the airplane was flying about 60 knots. ## Factual narrative The flight was the pilot's initial flight in the airplane make and model. The pilot reported that during the landing there was no forward visibility. About 10 ft above the runway, he was unable to arrest the descent rate even with the control stick full back. The airplane touched down hard and the pilot added power for a go-around. He felt the airplane accelerate and he maintained a level attitude; however, the airplane began an uncommanded left roll. The pilot could not regain control of the airplane and reduced power to idle prior to the airplane touching down a second time, this time off the edge of the runway. The main landing gear dug into the soft ground and the airplane spun around backward. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the landing.Prior to the flight, the pilot adjusted the linkage of the elevator to match design specifications. During the flight he tested the stall characteristics of the airplane. Each time, the airplane stalled around 40 knots. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported the airplane was around 60 knots. The circumstances are consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around following a hard landing. There were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N238SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N238SH-2023-03-04), registration cancelled 2023-03-04, S/N 238, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GLASAIR 1 (TD) - Registry model: [Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/prince-david-l-glasair-sh-2) (registry code 05623OZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 238 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 500 - Engines: ECI OX-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 24, 2019 - Departed: ADS, Dallas, TX - Destination: GVT, Greenville, TX - Airport: GVT, Majors, runway 35, 8,030 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 15, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 230 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KGVT ## 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 20200126001859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200126001859A), Jan 26, 2020: Prince David L GLASAIR SH-2, Greenville, TX, Substantial damage. On January 26, 2020 at approximately 17:45 CST, N238SH, a glasair SH-2 experimental, crashed during landing at Majors Airport (gvt) Greenville, TX. During… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100875. 567 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 567 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.