# NTSB DEN89LA153: Stitts SA7D, N1113E, Evanston, WY, July 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1989, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Evanston, WY
- Coordinates: 41.249668, -110.960166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2497&lon=-110.9602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA153

## Probable cause

IMPROPER COMPENSATION BY THE PILOT FOR WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, UNFAVORABLE WIND, AND DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE ON AN APCH FOR A LANDING AT A HIGH ALTITUDE ARPT WITH A DENSITY ALT OF 9800 FT, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT. THE APCH WAS BEING MADE TO RWY 23 WITH A WIND FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 18 KTS. THE PLT SAID THE DOWNDRAFT OCCURRED WHEN THE ACFT WAS AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL & THAT SHE ADDED POWER TO LAND FURTHER DOWN THE RWY. HOWEVER, THE DOWNDRAFT FORCED THE ACFT TO THE RWY & IT LANDED HARD WHICH DAMAGED THE FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1113E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1113E-2000-09-21), registration cancelled 2000-09-21, S/N DBC-1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STITTS SA7D
- Registry model: [Stits Sky Coupe SA7D](https://openairdocs.org/model/stits-sky-coupe-sa7d) (registry code 86505TE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DCB-1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Griggs, Harley & Linda
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: OGD, OGDEN, UT
- Destination: EVW
- Airport: EVW, Evanston, runway 23, 7,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 75 total, 16 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EVW

## 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 19890702018759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890702018759A), Jul 2, 1989: Amtrsa STITSSA7D, Evanston, WY, Substantial damage. Windshear dropped homebuilt to runway from 50 feet AGL. Too much wind for light homebuilt.

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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