# NTSB ERA14CA270: Wonder Michael S Harmon Rocket, N85TP, Winston Salem, NC, May 21, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 21, 2014, 12:25 local (16:25 UTC)
- Place: Winston Salem, NC
- Coordinates: 36.133609, -80.221946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1336&lon=-80.2219&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89313/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89313
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA270

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a gusty crosswind which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Wonder Michael S HARMON ROCKET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05602K0), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wonder Michael S HARMON ROCKET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05602K0), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Wonder Michael S HARMON ROCKET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05602K0), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Wonder Michael S HARMON ROCKET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05602K0), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Wonder Michael S HARMON ROCKET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05602K0), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Wonder Michael S HARMON ROCKET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05602K0), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wonder Michael S HARMON ROCKET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05602K0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot's written statement, while on approach for a straight in landing to runway 33 the tower reported "winds at 250 at 13 or 14 with gusts." The pilot elected to abandon the approach to runway 33 and requested a landing on runway 22. The pilot entered a left downwind for runway 22. On final approach the pilot stated he saw a quartering right crosswind at 18 to 19 knots on his onboard system. Upon touchdown the aircraft "began a weathervane" and the pilot elected to go around. After circling the airport the pilot attempted another approach to runway 22. On this approach the pilot used partial flaps and lined up on the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that upon touchdown the aircraft required almost full left rudder to maintain directional control. The pilot stated that he believed he "got an additional right wind gust." At that time the aircraft swerved sharply to the right where it exited the paved surface and rolled onto the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount and left wing. The calculated cross wind component at the time of the accident, using the AWOS reported winds, was 13 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot's written statement, while on approach for a straight in landing to runway 33 the tower reported "winds at 250 at 13 or 14 with gusts." The pilot elected to abandon the approach to runway 33 and requested a landing on runway 22. The pilot entered a left downwind for runway 22. On final approach the pilot stated he saw a quartering right crosswind at 18 to 19 knots on his onboard system. Upon touchdown the aircraft "began a weathervane" and the pilot elected to go around. After circling the airport the pilot attempted another approach to runway 22. On this approach the pilot used partial flaps and lined up on the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that upon touchdown the aircraft required almost full left rudder to maintain directional control. The pilot stated that he believed he "got an additional right wind gust." At that time the aircraft swerved sharply to the right where it exited the paved surface and rolled onto the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount and left wing. The calculated cross wind component at the time of the accident, using the AWOS reported winds, was 13 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85TP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85TP), registered now, S/N 2828 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WONDER MICHAEL S HARMON ROCKET
- Registry model: [Wonder Michael S HARMON ROCKET](https://openairdocs.org/model/wonder-michael-s-harmon-rocket) (registry code 05602K0) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2828
- Year built: 1996
- Airframe hours: 942
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540B4B5 260 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 30, 2013, 67 hours before
- Departed: SSI, Saint Simons, GA
- Destination: INT, Winston Salem, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: INT, Smith Reynolds Airport, runway 22, 3,938 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 27, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,540 total, 444 in this make and model, 6,100 as pilot in command, 75.4 in the last 90 days, 27.5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: INT

## 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 20140521007629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140521007629A), May 21, 2014: Wonder Michael S HARMON ROCKET, Winston Salem, NC, Substantial damage. N85TP on vectors for runway 33 at int, asked and received ATC clearance for a visual to runway 22 due reported winds. N85TP broke off first approach to runway…

## Other investigations on N85TP (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 ERA23FA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA266), Jun 11, 2023: Wonder Michael S Harmon Rocket (N85TP), Porter, NY, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while initiating a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89313. 5.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 2, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413651&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1. Wing Box (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 297 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Wing%20Box%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2. Prop Spinner (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Prop%20Spinner%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3. Engine Mount (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Engine%20Mount%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.

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