# NTSB CEN24LA032: Tom Hodgson 29, N29XB, Kokomo, IN, November 5, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 5, 2023, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Kokomo, IN - Coordinates: 40.427163, -86.201755 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4272&lon=-86.2018&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor - 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): 193348 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193348/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193348 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA032 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Tom Hodgson 29, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05641Y9), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Tom Hodgson 29, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05641Y9), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Tom Hodgson 29, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035/cases.md?model=05641Y9), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Tom Hodgson 29, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05641Y9), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Tom Hodgson 29, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05641Y9), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Tom Hodgson 29, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05641Y9), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081); cases with it: [Tom Hodgson 29, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md?model=05641Y9), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the B-29 replica airplane’s nose landing gear encountered a depression on the runway during the landing roll. The airplane yawed to the left, departed the runway surface, and struck a golf cart with a spectator, that was parked on the edge of the runway. The spectator sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29XB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29XB), registered now, S/N 001, built 2023 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tom Hodgson 29 - Registry model: [Tom Hodgson 29](https://openairdocs.org/model/tom-hodgson-29) (registry code 05641Y9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2023 - Airframe hours: 8 - Engines: IDC Inc 15460 109 horsepower reciprocating; IDC Inc 29128 109 horsepower reciprocating; IDC Inc 3148 109 horsepower reciprocating; IDC Inc 23596 109 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: N29xb LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 18, 2023 - Departed: 8I3, Kokomo, IN - Airport: 8I3, Glenndale Airport, runway 36, 2,048 × 110 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2023; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 20,000 total, 1 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KOKK, 9 nm away - METAR: KOKK 051856Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 13/02 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP232 60000 T01280017 10128 21006 58009 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20231105020849I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231105020849I), Nov 5, 2023: Tom Hodgson 29, Glendale, IN, Minor damage. Experimental aircraft experienced a hard landing on a grass strip. The propellor blades from both left engines contacted the ground. The aircraft veered left… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 21, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193348. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16643854&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16645569&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.