# NTSB GAA17CA240: Parlette Robert L Glastar, N661RP, Wenatchee, WA, April 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 21, 2017, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Wenatchee, WA - Coordinates: 47.347499, -120.313888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3475&lon=-120.3139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95044 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95044/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95044 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA240 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to adequately compensate for gusting wind conditions during a go-around. ## 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: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056213R), [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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=056213R), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056213R), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056213R), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056213R), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056213R), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056213R), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056213R), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056213R), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tundra-tire-equipped, tailwheel airplane reported that the airplane landed hard and "bounced pretty good." He applied power to go around, but during the crosswind turn, a downdraft pushed the airplane to the ground. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. After multiple requests, the pilot did not return the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 170° at 7 knots, gusting to 16 knots. It is unknown which direction the airplane was landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tundra tire–equipped, tailwheel airplane reported that, the airplane landed hard and "bounced pretty good". He applied power to go-around, but during the crosswind turn, a downdraft pushed the airplane to the ground, and subsequently the airplane impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. After multiple requests, the pilot did not return the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report as requested. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station, located on the airport, reported that about 15 minutes before the accident the wind was from 170° at 7 knots, gusting 16 knots. It's unknown which direction the airplane was landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N661RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N661RP-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 5620, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PARLETTE ROBERT L GLASTAR (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Parlette Robert L GLASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/parlette-robert-l-glastar) (registry code 056213R) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Superior XP-360](https://openairdocs.org/engine/superior-xp-360) (registry code 59252, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5620 - Year built: 2006 - Engines: SUPERIOR XP-360 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: EAT, Wenatchee, WA - Destination: EAT, Wenatchee, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: EAT, Pangborn Memorial - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KEAT ## 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 20170421003489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170421003489A), Apr 21, 2017: Parlette Robert L GLASTAR, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft touched down on private runway and bounced. Airman chose to go around and had insufficient altitude to avoid hill at end of runway and cherry trees… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95044. 647 KB in all. - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 1, .PDF, 1 photo, 647 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.