# NTSB FTW87DRG03: Wayne Hooks Cassutt III-M, N3790A, Burnet, TX, July 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1987, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Burnet, TX
- Coordinates: 30.759431, -98.220214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7594&lon=-98.2202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRG03

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - open (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - inadequate (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON JULY 7,1987, A CASSUTT 111M, N3790A, IMPACTED THE RUNWAY AT KATE CRADDOCK FIELD (T-27) BURNET TEXAS. THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING THE INITIAL TEST FLIGHT OF THE HOME BUILT AIRCRAFT WHEN THE CANOPY CAME OPEN. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT WHILE HOLDING THE CANOPY CLOSED. DUE TO AN APPARENT LACK OF AIRFLOW OVER THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO FLARE FOR TOUCHDOWN. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE RUNWAY CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. HOWEVER, THE PILOT SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3790A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3790A-1989-04-04), registration cancelled 1989-04-04, S/N 200 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WAYNE HOOKS CASSUTT III-M (CASSUTT II)
- Registry model: [Hook Wayne E CASSUTT III-M](https://openairdocs.org/model/hook-wayne-e-cassutt-iii-m) (registry code 1970359) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 200
- Airframe hours: 126
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 0200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reed, Norman
- Registered owner: Norman M Reed
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1987, 19 hours before
- Airport: T27, Kate Craddock Fld., runway 19, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 22,739 total, 24 in this make and model, 16,500 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870707032669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870707032669A), Jul 7, 1987: Amtrsx CASSUTT3M, Burnet, TX, Minor damage. The canopy latch failed inflight. Reduced elevator control caused hard landing. Pilot did not use second latch.

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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