# NTSB CHI04LA253: Williams Glastar GS-1, N501YR, Hayward, WI, September 10, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 2004, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Hayward, WI - Coordinates: 46.025833, -91.444442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0258&lon=-91.4444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA,Milwaukee, WI FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60106 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60106/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA253 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - flaps - improper use of, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The float equipped airplane collided with trees following a loss of control while taking off from a lake. The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he added one notch of flaps, raised the water rudders, and let the airplane weather vane into the wind. He reported that during the takeoff the airplane "... buffeted as if the wind direction was changing rapidly." The pilot reported he was over the trees at the end of the lake at an airspeed of 60 miles per hour (mph) and an altitude of 150 feet above ground level (agl), when the airspeed went to zero and the right wing dropped. He reported that he corrected by applying aileron, but the airplane rolled to the left. He reported the airplane leveled out at an altitude of about 100 feet agl prior to experiencing a "... total loss of lift... ." The pilot stated he attempted to get the airplane as close to shore as possible. The airplane came to rest on a beach with the right wing in the water. The pilot reported during an interview, that he used two notches of flaps for takeoff and he applied full flaps when he was having difficulty gaining altitude. The pilot reported "Wind shear on takeoff, the magnitude of which I experienced that day is hard to predict... ." The winds reported approximately 10 miles from the accident site about 22 minutes prior to the accident were from 170 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 2004, at 1215 central daylight time, a float equipped Williams Glastar GS-1, N501YR, collided with trees following a loss of control during takeoff on Scott Lake in Hayward, Wisconsin. The private pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The planned destination was Cranberry Lake, Eagle River, Wisconsin. The pilot reported that prior to takeoff he added one notch of flaps, raised the water rudders, and let the airplane weather vane into the wind. He reported that during the takeoff the airplane "... buffeted as if the wind direction was changing rapidly." The pilot reported he was over the trees at the end of the lake at an airspeed of 60 miles per hour (mph) and an altitude of 150 feet above ground level (agl), when the airspeed went to zero and the right wing dropped. He reported that he corrected by applying aileron, but the airplane rolled to the left. He reported the airplane leveled out at an altitude of about 100 feet agl prior to experiencing a "... total loss of lift... ." The pilot stated he attempted to get the airplane as close to shore as possible. The airplane came to rest on a beach with the right wing in the water. A Federal Aviation Administration Operations Inspector reported that during an interview, the pilot stated he used two notches of flaps for takeoff and he applied full flaps when he was having difficulty gaining altitude. The pilot reported , "Wind shear on takeoff, the magnitude of which I experienced that day is hard to predict... ." The wind reported at the Sawyer County Airport, Hayward, Wisconsin, at 1153, was from 170 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N501YR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N501YR-2004-12-02), registration cancelled 2004-12-02, S/N 5453 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Williams Glastar GS-1 - Registry model: [Williams Bruce E JR GLASTAR - GS-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/williams-bruce-e-jr-glastar-gs-1) (registry code 05605C1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5453 - Airframe hours: 203 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas C. Sadlicki - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 2003, 203 hours before - Departed: Hayward, WA - Destination: Hayward, WA - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 22, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,385 total, 233 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: HYR, 10 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 20040910022549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040910022549A), Sep 10, 2004: Amtr GLASTARGS1, Hayward, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) After taking off south from scott lake of the chippewa flowage near Hayward WI the aircraft encountered a wind gust which caused the aircraft to veer to… 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.