# NTSB CHI04LA040: Clement-Kazmierczak Sorrell SNS-7, N7543E, Highmore, SD, December 6, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 6, 2003, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Highmore, SD - Coordinates: 44.849998, -99.366668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8500&lon=-99.3667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58487 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58487/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA040 ## Probable cause The unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot. Contributing factors were the grass runway surface and the snowbank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The amateur-built experimental biplane was substantially damaged when it hit a snow bank and nosed over during landing. The pilot reported that prior to the flight he contacted the owner of the private grass strip to verify runway condition. The owner reportedly indicated that the runway was acceptable for use. The pilot noted that upon arrival the wind was from the southeast about 10 miles per hour. He stated that he set-up and landed to the south. "After landing, I hit a small snowdrift, added power and the plane nosed over," according to the pilot. He reported no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On December 6, 2003, at 1030 central standard time, an amateur-built experimental biplane Clement-Kazmierczak Sorrell SNS-7 airplane, N7543E, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it hit a snow bank and nosed over during landing. The accident occurred at a private airstrip (2,500 feet by 75 feet, turf) approximately 15 miles north of Highmore, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed the Converse County Airport, Douglas, Wyoming, at 0715 mountain standard time, with the private airstrip as the intended destination. In his written statement, the pilot reported that prior to the flight he contacted the owner of the private grass strip to verify runway condition. The owner reportedly indicated that the runway was acceptable for use. The pilot noted that upon arrival the wind was from the southeast about 10 miles per hour. He stated that he set-up and landed to the south. "After landing, I hit a small snowdrift, added power and the plane nosed over," according to the pilot. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7543E (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Clement-Kazmierczak Sorrell SNS-7 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 247 - Airframe hours: 727 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 14, 2003, 13 hours before - Departed: DGW, Douglas, WY - Destination: PVT, Highmore, SD - Airport: PVT, runway 18, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 20, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 3,123 total, 553 in this make and model, 3,123 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 21 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: PIR, 48 nm away ## 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 20031206032419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031206032419A), Dec 6, 2003: Amtr SNS7, Highmore, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot timothy morton landed a hyperbipe N7543E at a Private strip near Highmore, SD. The Private strip was snow-covered. Upon landing and rollout the… 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.