# NTSB CHI90DCD01: Finn A. Arnold Glassaire/SH-2, N41FJ, Shenandoah, IA, July 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1990, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Shenandoah, IA
- Coordinates: 40.749744, -95.359825 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7497&lon=-95.3598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14436
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DCD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14436/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DCD01

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT IS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL JUST AFTER THE TAIL STARTED TO LIFT OFF DURING A TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. THE AIRPLANE LEFT THE RUNWAY, ROLLED INTO A DITCH, AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT HAS A TOTAL OF TWENTY-TWO HOURS OF EXPERIENCE IN TAIL WHEEL AIRPLANES. SIXTEEN OF THOSE HOURS WERE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41FJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41FJ-2012-10-11), registration cancelled 2012-10-11, S/N 269 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FINN A. ARNOLD GLASSAIRE/SH-2 (GLASSAIRE/)
- Registry model: [Arnold Finn A GLASAIR SH-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/arnold-finn-a-glasair-sh-2) (registry code 05691CS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 269
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: LYCOMING IO 360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Finn A. Arnold
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1990, 16 hours before
- Departed: SDA, SHENANDOAH, IA
- Airport: SDA, Shenandoah, runway 22R, 4,100 × 70 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 22 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19900727033979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900727033979A), Jul 27, 1990: Amtr GLASAIR, Shenandoah, IA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff in gusty crosswind, left the runway into ditch. Nosed over.

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.