# NTSB GAA17CA171: Smith Douglas J. Sonex, N801SX, Mercey Hot Springs, CA, March 1, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 1, 2017, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Mercey Hot Springs, CA - Coordinates: 36.70639, -120.86 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7064&lon=-120.8600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94816 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94816/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94816 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA171 ## Probable cause The sport pilot’s unstabilized approach with a tailwind, which resulted in touchdown short of the runway and a subsequent nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Douglas J SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=056264U), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Douglas J SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056264U), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Douglas J SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=056264U), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Douglas J SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=056264U), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith Douglas J SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=056264U), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Smith Douglas J SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=056264U), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Smith Douglas J SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056264U), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Smith Douglas J SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056264U), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot reported that he was landing on an airfield and overflew the runway multiple times searching for a wind sock. He watched another airplane land to the south, and he made his approach to the south also. He reported that his altitude was too high during his first approach, so he aborted the landing. He asserted that, "This should have alerted me that there was a tailwind." He flew one traffic pattern and made a second approach with the power at idle and full flaps. He established his approach, but the airplane sank quickly and touched down short of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the canopy, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the Airport Facility Directory, the airfield was equipped with a wind indicator. However, no wind indicator could be located on or near the airfield by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge. ## Factual narrative The sport pilot reported that he was landing to an airfield and over flew the runway multiple times in search of a wind sock. He watched another airplane land to the south and he made his approach to the south also. He reported that his altitude was too high during his first approach and aborted the landing. He asserted that, "This should have alerted me that there was a tail wind." He flew one traffic pattern and made a second approach with the power at idle and full flaps. He established his approach but the airplane sank quickly and touched down short of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the canopy, the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the Airport Facility Directory, the airfield is equipped with a wind indicator. However, no wind indicator could be located on or near the airfield by the NTSB investigator-in-charge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N801SX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N801SX-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 0801, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith Douglas J. Sonex (Ltd.) - Registry model: [Smith Douglas J SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-douglas-j-sonex) (registry code 056264U) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34802, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0801 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 527.6 - Engines: Jabiru 3300A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 23, 2017 - Departed: 069, Petaluma, CA - Destination: CN22, Firebaugh, CA - Airport: CN22, Mercey Hot Springs, runway 15, 2,082 × 30 ft, dirt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 12, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 262.5 total, 58.5 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 5.5 in the last 90 days, 2.5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: KCVH, 29 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 20170301015039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170301015039A), Mar 1, 2017: Smith Douglas J SONEX, Mercey Hot Spri, CA, Substantial damage. Mercy hot springs, CA: N801SX, Sonex (exp), (petaluma-mercy hot springs) pilot reported misjuding landing, was 50 yards short of the runway, hit the top wire… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94816. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455704&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.