# NTSB CEN21LA340: Stephen L Kruer Superstol, N852SK, Floyds Knobs, IN, July 27, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 27, 2021, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Floyds Knobs, IN - Coordinates: 38.346014, -85.869725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3460&lon=-85.8697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103571 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA340 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103571/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103571 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA340 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the trees during a go-around. ## 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 · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Stephen L Kruer SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05635NG), [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: [Stephen L Kruer SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05635NG), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stephen L Kruer SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05635NG), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Stephen L Kruer SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05635NG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stephen L Kruer SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05635NG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the final approach the pilot thought that he was too high to land safely, so he executed a go-around. During the climb out, the pilot felt a thump and the airplane turned about 90° and “mushed into the tree tops.” The airplane subsequently nosed into the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N852SK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N852SK-2022-01-11), registration cancelled 2022-01-11, S/N JA430-01-15 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STEPHEN L KRUER SUPERSTOL - Registry model: [Stephen L Kruer SUPERSTOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/stephen-l-kruer-superstol) (registry code 05635NG) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA430-01-15 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 91 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kruer Stephen L - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2021, 1 hours before - Departed: I83, Salem, IN - Destination: PRIV, Floyds Knob, IN - Airport: PRIV, Private, runway PRIVATE, 600 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 27, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 478 total, 88 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KSDF, 12 nm away - METAR: KSDF 271456Z 36004KT 10SM CLR 31/18 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP169 T03060178 50006 ## 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 20210727012009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210727012009A), Jul 27, 2021: Stephen L Kruer SUPERSTOL, Floyds Knobs, IN, Substantial damage. On July 27, 2021 at approximately 10:45 am eastern daylight time (EDT), a JA30 Superstol aircraft (N852SK) sustained substantial damage after contacting a tree… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103571. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12613839&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20--_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo of airplane at accident site (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12613895&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site-Rel.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.