# NTSB GAA15CA257: Glenn Timothy C Skystar Series 5, N4291R, Green River, UT, September 12, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 12, 2015, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Green River, UT - Coordinates: 39.01889, -110.450836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0189&lon=-110.4508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA257 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91973/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91973 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA257 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch attitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Glenn Timothy C SKYSTAR SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05626V3), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Glenn Timothy C SKYSTAR SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=05626V3), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Glenn Timothy C SKYSTAR SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05626V3), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Glenn Timothy C SKYSTAR SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05626V3), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Glenn Timothy C SKYSTAR SERIES 5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05626V3), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on short final about 20 feet above the ground, he noticed the "attitude was a little flat." He reported that the airplane lost altitude "so fast, he didn't have time to react or even think to put the nose down or add power". The airplane impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that his conclusion as to why the accident occurred was that the airplane "flat" stalled about 15 to 20 feet above the ground because he was "so focused on hitting the front of the runway" and didn't keep the airspeed "up." The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while on short final about 20 feet above the ground, he noticed the "attitude was a little flat." He reported that the airplane lost altitude "so fast, he didn't have time to react or even think to put the nose down or add power". The airplane impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that his conclusion as to why the accident occurred was that the airplane "flat" stalled about 15 to 20 feet above the ground because he was "so focused on hitting the front of the runway" and didn't keep the airspeed "up." The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4291R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4291R-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N S9404-0015, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GLENN TIMOTHY C SKYSTAR SERIES 5 (SERIES5) - Registry model: [Glenn Timothy C SKYSTAR SERIES 5](https://openairdocs.org/model/glenn-timothy-c-skystar-series-5) (registry code 05626V3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S9404-0015 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 996 - Engines: Rotax 912 UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2014, 30 hours before - Departed: 36U, HEBER, UT - Destination: N/A, Green River, UT - Airport: N/A, Mexican Mountain Airstrip, runway 29, 1,500 × 50 ft, dirt - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,194 total, 995 in this make and model, 1,072 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 59; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: right; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KCNY, 36 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 20150912014769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150912014769A), Sep 12, 2015: Glenn Timothy C SKYSTAR SERIES 5, Green River, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting to land at a remote dirt airstrip. Pilot aborted initial landing attempt and made a go around for a 2nd attempt because he felt he was too… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91973. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 365 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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. --- 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.