# NTSB FTW96LA314: Barton Sylkie 1, N711WB, Erie, CO, July 22, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1996, 19:40 local (Jul 22, 1996, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.019973, -105.040161 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0200&lon=-105.0402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA314

## Probable cause

The pilot passenger's failure to maintain clearance from the fence due to his failure to maintain a proper glide path, and the pilot-in-command's failure to take remedial action in a timely fashion.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot passenger (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence post
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot passenger (cause)
  - landing gear,wheel - separation

## Analysis

While landing with a private pilot passenger manipulating the controls, the airplane struck a six foot chain link fence post approximately 175 feet from the threshold.  The pilot-in-command took the controls, aborted the landing, and proceeded to JeffCo Airport where there were personnel and equipment to handle the emergency landing.  The airplane circled the air traffic control tower, and ATC personnel confirmed the left main gear was down, and the 'right wheel was missing.'  The pilot lost control of the airplane during the landing and the airplane was damaged further.

## Factual narrative

On July 21, 1996, at 1940 mountain daylight time, a Barton Sylkie 1, N711WB, registered to and operated by a private owner, under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing at JeffCo Airport near Denver, Colorado.  The private pilot and his pilot rated passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The flight originated from Erie, Colorado, at about 1838.

The pilot-in-command reported that during an attempted landing to runway 08 at the Parkland Airport, with the private pilot passenger manipulating the controls, the airplane struck a six foot chain link fence post, damaging the right main landing gear.  The fence was located approximately 175 feet from the threshold of runway 08.

The pilot-in-command further reported that after the impact with the fence post, he took the controls, aborted the landing, and continued to JeffCo Airport where personnel and equipment to handle his emergency landing were available.  While the airplane circled the air traffic control (ATC) tower, ATC personnel confirmed the left main gear was down, and the "right wheel was missing."  The pilot elected to land the retractable gear airplane with the gear extended.  During the landing on runway 29R, he managed to maintain the right main gear off the runway as long as he could.  Control was lost when the wheeless right gear contacted the surface of the runway, resulting in structural damage to the right wing and horizontal stabilizer.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711WB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711WB), registered now, S/N B-1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Barton SYLKIE 1
- Registry model: [Barton SYLKIE 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/barton-sylkie-1) (registry code 0562148) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: B-1
- Airframe hours: 461
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-R 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne F. Barton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1996, 14 hours before
- Departed: 7CO0
- Destination: BFC, DENVER, CO
- Airport: 7CO0, Parkland, runway 8, 4,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 297 total, 211 in this make and model, 286 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 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 19960721047399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960721047399A), Jul 21, 1996: Broomfield, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) During a landing attempt at parklane airport, erie, Colorado, the aircraft struck a chain link fence and tore off the nose landing gear and the right…

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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