# NTSB CHI94LA217: Hunsberger Glasair, N234EC, Lapeer, MI, July 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1994, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Lapeer, MI
- Coordinates: 43.039966, -83.320899 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0400&lon=-83.3209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA217

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft handling.  A factor related to the accident was the gusty wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE LANDING WAS BEING MADE ON RUNWAY 36 WITH GUSTING WINDS FROM THE NORTH NORTHEAST.  THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER THE THREE POINT TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT WING LIFTED AND THE LEFT AILERON CONTACTED THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT ABORTED THE LANDING.  ONCE AIRBORNE THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CONTACTED A PARKED AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On July 2, 1994, at 1735 eastern daylight time, a Glasair SH2, N234EC, registered to Edwin R. Evans of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, collided with the runway while landing at the Dupont Airport, Lapeer, Michigan, while on a personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot was not injured and the passenger received minor injuries.  The flight originated from Wheeling, Illinois, on July 2, 1994, at 1535 cdt.

The pilot stated he circled the Dupont Airport to determine the wind and landing conditions upon reaching the airport.  He stated that aircraft were landing on runway 09 with winds out of the east.  He then dearted the area and returned approximately 15 minutes later.  He stated that upon his return the winds were variable from the north northeast at approximately 10 knots with gusts, so he flew a traffic pattern and attempted to land on runway 36.

The pilot reported that during the three point landing, the right wing lifted up and the left aileron contacted the runway.  The pilot initiated an aborted landing.  Once airborne, according to the pilot, the airplane veered to the left contacting a parked aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N234EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N234EC), registered now, S/N 234, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUNSBERGER GLASAIR
- Registry model: [Hunsberger Elden C GLASAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/hunsberger-elden-c-glasair) (registry code 05655GD) (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: 234
- Airframe hours: 700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edwin R. Evans
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1994, 25 hours before
- Departed: PWK, WHEELING, IL
- Destination: D95
- Airport: D95, Dupont, runway 36, 3,605 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 600 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 255 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 19940702017389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940702017389A), Jul 2, 1994: Amtr GLASAIRIII, Lapeer, MI, Substantial damage. Crosswind lifted wing landing. Began go around. Drifted off runway. Struck parked aircraft.

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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