# NTSB ERA11CA420: Dehavilland Tiger Moth DH 82A, N8872, Rockland, ME, July 23, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2011, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Rockland, ME - Coordinates: 44.060001, -69.086112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0600&lon=-69.0861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81215 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA420 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81215/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81215 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA420 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was landing at the conclusion of a local flight. As the airplane passed over the runway threshold the airplane's main landing gear contacted high grass. The airplane nosed over and impacted the runway inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both left and right top wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the accident could have been prevented by conducting a higher approach to landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was landing at the conclusion of a local flight. As the airplane passed over the runways threshold the airplane's main landing gear contacted high grass. The airplane nosed over and impacted the runway inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both left and right top wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane, and that the accident could have been prevented by conducting a higher approach to landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8872](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8872-2018-03-07), registration cancelled 2018-03-07, S/N PG.625, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND TIGER MOTH DH 82A - Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: PG.625 - Airframe hours: 3410 - Engines: Morris Motors GIPSY MAJOR 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Owls Head Transportation Museum - Registered owner: Alton E Cianchette - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2011 - Departed: RKD, Rockland, ME - Destination: RKD, Rockland, ME - Airport: RKD, Knox County, runway 21R, 1,600 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2010; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,075 total, 26 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: RKD ## 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 20110723014859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110723014859A), Jul 23, 2011: Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, Rockland, ME, Substantial damage. Pilot statement: hot day approach to landing, aircraft settled very quickly and drifted off runway. Landing gear caught grass on side of runway, aircraft… ## Other investigations on N8872 (2) 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 NYC00LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA143), May 26, 2000: de Havilland DH-82A (N8872), Pittsfield, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor in the accident was the soft terrain. - [NTSB NYC79DNC40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79DNC40), Jul 28, 1979: Dehavilland DH82A (N8872), Pittsfield, ME, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81215. 332 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353509&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.