# NTSB CHI08CA261: Ntbk Wag Aero Sport, N141ST, Oxford, IA, August 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 20, 2008, 20:15 local (Aug 21, 2008, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Oxford, IA - Coordinates: 41.753055, -91.723335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7531&lon=-91.7233&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: DSM FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68913 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68913/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA261 ## Probable cause The pilot misjudged his approach path which resulted in insufficient altitude and the subsequent failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Contributing to the accident were the trees and the dusk lighting conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Ntbk WAG-AERO SPORT TRAIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=056250J), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ntbk WAG-AERO SPORT TRAIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=056250J), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Ntbk WAG-AERO SPORT TRAIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056250J), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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: [Ntbk WAG-AERO SPORT TRAIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=056250J), [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 pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Ntbk WAG-AERO SPORT TRAIN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=056250J), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the total runway length is 4,800 feet, the northern 1,400 feet of which is grass and the southern 2,400 feet is asphalt. He reported that he was practicing touch and go landings on the grass portion of the runway when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he made three touch and go landings, and decided to make one more before it got too dark. He stated that the final approach descent path appeared to be above the low-lying trees. He stated that he did not realize he was too low until he felt a "sharp blow" to the airplane and the airplane rotated to the right descending to the ground. The pilot reported that he should have realized that "...landing as close to the trees as I intended was unsafe" when the runway lights came on while he was on final approach. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2008, at 2015 central daylight time, an amateur built NTBK LLC Wag Aero Sport Trainer, N141ST, collided with the scrub trees while landing on runway 15 at the Green Castle Airport, a private airstrip, in Oxford, Iowa. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and firewall. The personal flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the Green Castle Airport at 1940. The pilot reported the total runway length is 4,800 feet, the northern 1,400 feet of which is grass and the southern 2,400 feet is asphalt. He reported he was practicing touch and go landings on the grass portion of the runway when the accident occurred. The pilot reported he made three touch and go landings, and decided to make one more before it got too dark. He stated that the final approach descent path appeared to be above the low-lying trees. He stated that he did not realize he was too low until he felt a "sharp blow" to the airplane and the airplane rotated to the right descending to the ground. The pilot reported that he should have realized that "...landing as close to the trees as I intended was unsafe" when the runway lights came on while he was on final approach. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N141ST](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N141ST), registered now, S/N ST-001-08, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NTBK Wag Aero Sport - Registry model: [Ntbk WAG-AERO SPORT TRAIN](https://openairdocs.org/model/ntbk-wag-aero-sport-train) (registry code 056250J) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-290-D2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-290-d2) (registry code 42090, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: ST-001-08 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James H. Beeghly - Registered owner: Ntbk LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: IA24, Oxford, IA - Destination: IA24, Oxford, IA - Airport: IA24, Green Castle, runway 15 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 204 total, 3 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk ## 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 20080820847839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080820847839A), Aug 20, 2008: Amtr WAGARO, Oxford, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was practicing landings on a private airstrip in a newly certified amateur-built aircraft at dusk. While on final approach the pilot allowed… 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.