# NTSB GAA16CA452: Simmons Noel SDL, N945PL, Naches, WA, August 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2016, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Naches, WA - Coordinates: 46.731109, -120.699447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7311&lon=-120.6994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93908 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA452 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93908/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93908 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA452 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing. ## 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: [Simmons Noel SDL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618RZ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Simmons Noel SDL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05618RZ), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Simmons Noel SDL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05618RZ), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Simmons Noel SDL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05618RZ), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Simmons Noel SDL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05618RZ), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he made an approach to a dirt runway. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced during the touch down, and when it settled back to the runway the airplane's heading was not aligned with the runway heading. He recalled the airplane ground looped to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The left wing ribs and aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he made an approach to a dirt runway. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced during the touch down, and when it settled back to the runway the airplane's heading was not aligned with the runway heading. He recalled the airplane ground looped to the right, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The left wing ribs and aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N945PL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N945PL), registered now, S/N 001, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIMMONS NOEL SDL (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Simmons Noel SDL](https://openairdocs.org/model/simmons-noel-sdl) (registry code 05618RZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 764.3 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 2015 - Departed: KYM, Yakima, WA - Destination: 4S6, Naches, WA - Airport: 4S6, Tieton State, runway 20, 2,509 × 100 ft - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 364.2 total, 360.2 in this make and model, 251.6 as pilot in command, 46.7 in the last 90 days, 11.6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KYKM, 12 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 20160823018029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160823018029A), Aug 23, 2016: Simmons Noel SDL, Naches, WA, Substantial damage. Airplane landed at Tieton State Airport (4S6). Pilot didn?t notice any adverse winds during approach and landing but anticipated that there was a possibility… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93908. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446946&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of USFS) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 417 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20USFS)-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.