# NTSB ERA12CA043: Fehlner-Shelton Aerosport Scamp WTB1, N25WS, Grantham, NC, October 17, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 17, 2011, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Grantham, NC
- Coordinates: 35.288887, -78.179725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2889&lon=-78.1797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82112/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82112
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA043

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate clearance from unmarked power lines while on approach to land at a private airport.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Airport facilities/design: obstruction markings/lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017025): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Fehlner-Shelton AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017025/cases.md?model=0564509), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017025/cases.md)
- [Airport facilities/design: runway markings/signage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017030): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Fehlner-Shelton AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017030/cases.md?model=0564509), [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017030/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Fehlner-Shelton AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0564509), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fehlner-Shelton AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0564509), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Fehlner-Shelton AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0564509), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Fehlner-Shelton AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0564509), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had completed two approaches to the private grass airstrip without incident. During the third approach, the airplane struck unmarked power lines located just prior to the approach end of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the underside of its fuselage, rudder and both wings. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The runway previously had a marked, 670-foot displaced threshold to compensate for the power lines. The airport manager reported that the displaced threshold markings were made of wood and had deteriorated over a period of years.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he had completed two previous approaches to the private grass airstrip without incident. During the third approach, the airplane struck unmarked power lines located just prior to the approach end of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the underside of its fuselage, rudder and both wings. The pilot stated that the he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the runway previously contained a marked 670-foot displaced threshold to compensate for the power lines. The airport manager reported that the markings were made of wood and had deteriorated away over years.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25WS-2018-04-24), registration cancelled 2018-04-24, S/N 75-02, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FEHLNER-SHELTON AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1
- Registry model: [Fehlner-Shelton AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1](https://openairdocs.org/model/fehlner-shelton-aerosport-scamp-wtb1) (registry code 0564509) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 75-02
- Airframe hours: 95
- Engines: VOLKSWAGEN 1834cc 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, February 1, 2011, 11 hours before
- Departed: 6NC0, Grantham, NC
- Destination: 6NC0, Grantham, NC
- Airport: 6NC0, Cox-Grantham Airfield, runway 21, 2,800 × 54 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 30, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 698 total, 6 in this make and model, 649 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 180 °F, dew point 124 °F
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observed at: GSB, 11 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 20111017024969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111017024969A), Oct 17, 2011: Fehlner-Shelton AEROSPORT SCAMP WTB1, Goldsboro, NC, Substantial damage. No mechanical issues reported. On approach to runway 21 at 6NC0, [privacy data omitted] struck an unmarked powerline which protrudes into the approach to…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82112. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 504 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358125&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Interview Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Memorandum-Master.PDF
- KGSB Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=KGSB%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF
- Airport Master Record (6NC0) (item 4, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358130&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Master%20Record%20(6NC0)-Redacted.PDF
- Aerial View of Airport (item 5, .PDF, 249 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358126&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aerial%20View%20of%20Airport-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 1 – Airplane as it came to rest (Obtained through Airport Manager) (item 6, .PDF, 536 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358123&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Obtained%20through%20Airport%20Manager)-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.

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