# NTSB ERA26LA030: Hugh Nunnally Farrior Cozy MK IV, N222HF, McRae-Helena, GA, October 28, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 28, 2025, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: McRae-Helena, GA · On Airport - Coordinates: 32.092047, -82.881729 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0920&lon=-82.8817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 201951 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201951/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201951 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA030 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to extend the nose landing gear, which resulted in a nose gear up landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inappropriate decision to continue to fly with known delamination damage to the propeller. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hugh Nunnally Farrior COZY MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05640YH), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hugh Nunnally Farrior COZY MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05640YH), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Hugh Nunnally Farrior COZY MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=05640YH), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Hugh Nunnally Farrior COZY MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=05640YH), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Hugh Nunnally Farrior COZY MK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=05640YH), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and builder of the experimental airplane reported that in cruise flight about 1,700 ft above ground level, he felt a vibration that progressively intensified. He elected to make a precautionary landing at a nearby airport; however, he forgot to extend the nose landing gear, and the airplane’s nose contacted the runway surface during landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. Post accident examination revealed that the composite propeller had shed a portion of its nickel-plated leading edge and exhibited damage consistent with delamination. Further examination by the propeller manufacturer revealed that the delamination was the result of heat damage and a total failure of the propeller was imminent. About 5 months before the accident, the pilot contacted the propeller manufacturer and provided photographs that revealed early stage delamination damage to the propeller. He was advised by several company representatives that the damage was the result of heat due to the location and proximity of the engine exhaust to the propeller, and that he should not continue to fly with that propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N222HF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N222HF), registered now, S/N 0247, built 2024 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGH NUNNALLY FARRIOR COZY MK IV - Registry model: [Hugh Nunnally Farrior COZY MK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/hugh-nunnally-farrior-cozy-mk-iv) (registry code 05640YH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-D1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-d1a) (registry code 41839, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0247 - Year built: 2024 - Airframe hours: 54 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-D1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 8, 2024 - Departed: AHN, Athens, GA - Destination: VDF, Tampa, FL - Airport: MQW, Telfair-Wheeler, runway 03/21, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Data recorder, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 23, 2024; seat: left; flight hours: 1,572 total, 54 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 11 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: EZM, 17 nm away - METAR: METAR KEZM 282135Z AUTO 06007KT 10SM OVC019 13/10 A2999 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201951. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20285510&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02-6120%20(Signed)_Redacted-Rel%20(1)-Rel.pdf - Mor interview with catto propellers (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19876483&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=04-MOR%20Interview%20with%20Catto%20Propellers_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 815 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19876208&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=05-Photo%20array%20in%20PDF-Rel.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.