# NTSB ERA11CA029: Squeglia R/Wheeler W Hummel Bird, N824RS, Hollywood, FL, October 18, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 18, 2010, 11:22 local (15:22 UTC) - Place: Hollywood, FL - Coordinates: 26.001111, -80.240554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0011&lon=-80.2406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77634 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77634/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77634 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA029 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05611NO), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had completed a takeoff and flew the airplane around the traffic pattern without incident. He configured the airplane on a stable approach to runway 09, compensating for a crosswind by positioning the airplane into a left crab angle. As the airplane approached the runway threshold, the pilot applied right rudder and left aileron to align with the runway centerline and prevent drifting to the right. The pilot stated that he over corrected for the crosswind condition and the airplane began to drift to the left. The airplane touched down hard and the left main landing gear bent laterally. As the right main landing gear touched down, the airplane became unstable and veered to the right. The airplane collided with a runway sign, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 04 degrees at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he had flown the tail-wheeled airplane earlier in the day and decided to go flying again. The pilot stated that he completed the takeoff and traffic pattern "without incident," and flew a "stable approach" to runway 9, compensating for a crosswind by positioning the airplane into a left crab angle. As the airplane approached the runway threshold, the pilot applied right rudder to align it with the runway, as well as left aileron to prevent it from drifting to the right. The pilot stated that he "over corrected" with left aileron and the airplane began to drift to the left. The airplane touched down "firmly," and "in a full stall tail dragger attitude" on the left main landing gear, which bent laterally. As the right main landing gear touched down, the airplane became unstable, veered to the right, and struck a runway sign, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 040 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N824RS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N824RS), registered now, S/N 304A, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SQUEGLIA R/WHEELER W HUMMEL BIRD - Registry model: [Squeglia R/Wheeler W HUMMEL BIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/squeglia-r-wheeler-w-hummel-bird) (registry code 05611NO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 304A - Airframe hours: 200 - Engines: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG 37 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Destination: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Airport: HWO, North Perry Airport, runway 09, 3,255 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 13, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 550 total, 200 in this make and model, 505 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: HWO ## 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 20101018047909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101018047909A), Oct 18, 2010: Squeglia R/ HUMMEL BIRD, Pembroke Pines, FL, Substantial damage. Landing gear collapsed during landing which caused the aircraft to go into a ground loop thus striking an airport runway sign. This cuased damage to the… ## Other investigations on N824RS (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA09CA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA361), Jun 21, 2009: Hummelbird Hummelbird (N824RS), Sunrise, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for an undetermined reason. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77634. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 539 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statements (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338913&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports: HWO METARs (item 4, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338908&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%3A%20HWO%20METARs-Master.PDF - Photo #1: Front view of airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 372 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%231%3A%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo #2: Damage to Right Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%232%3A%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo #3: Damage to Fuselage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20%233%3A%20Damage%20to%20Fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.