# NTSB CHI05CA139: Grimes SNS-9, N143WW, Niles, MI, June 10, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 10, 2005, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Niles, MI
- Coordinates: 41.820278, -86.236663
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8203&lon=-86.2367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA139

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which led to the inadvertent stall/mush, and subsequent impact with the ground.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane was damaged when it impacted the ground during landing at a private airstrip.  The pilot stated, "Got slow on short final.  Plane mushed. I added power, but plane stalled and crashed on end of runway."  The pilot listed no mechanical failures of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On June 10, about 1515 eastern daylight time, an amateur-built Grimes model SNS-9, N143WW, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground during landing at a private airstrip near Niles, Michigan.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The pilot received minor injuries.  The flight originated from a private airstrip near Walkerton, Indiana, about 20 minutes prior to the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot stated, "Got slow on short final.  Plane mushed. I added power, but plane stalled and crashed on end of runway."  The pilot listed no mechanical failures of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N143WW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N143WW-2007-05-23), registration cancelled 2007-05-23, S/N 3, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grimes SNS-9
- Registry model: [Grimes Jon C SNS-9](https://openairdocs.org/model/grimes-jon-c-sns-9) (registry code 05655YN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3
- Engines: Jabiru 22A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William R. Wolverton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PVT, Walkerton, IN
- Destination: PVT, Niles, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 1,103 total, 487 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050610013559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050610013559A), Jun 10, 2005: Amtr SNS9, Niles, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft landed short of runway.

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.

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