# NTSB GAA18CA458: Allen W Inks Virus SW, N608US, Clayton, GA, July 30, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2018, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Clayton, GA - Coordinates: 34.832778, -83.409721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8328&lon=-83.4097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA458 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97958/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97958 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA458 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Inks Allen W VIRUS SW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=05636FW), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Inks Allen W VIRUS SW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05636FW), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Inks Allen W VIRUS SW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05636FW), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Inks Allen W VIRUS SW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05636FW), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Inks Allen W VIRUS SW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05636FW), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Inks Allen W VIRUS SW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05636FW), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Inks Allen W VIRUS SW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05636FW), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The powered-glider pilot reported that, during the approach, about 10 to 20 ft above the ground, the descent rate was higher than normal. He moved his hand from the spoiler to the throttle, but before he could apply power to arrest the descent, the glider landed hard and bounced. The glider then banked left, he added full power, but the left wingtip impacted a hedge, and the glider rotated counterclockwise. Subsequently, the glider impacted the ground and came to rest on a dirt embankment. The powered-glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The motor glider pilot reported that, during the approach, about 10 to 20 ft above the ground, the descent rate was higher than normal. He moved his hand from the spoiler to the throttle but before he could apply power to arrest the descent the glider landed hard and bounced. The glider then banked to the left, he added full power, but the left wingtip impacted a hedge and the glider rotated counterclockwise. Subsequently, the glider impacted the ground and came to rest on a dirt embankment. The glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N608US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N608US-2019-12-16), registration cancelled 2019-12-16, S/N 517 SWN 100 IS KIT (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ALLEN W INKS VIRUS SW - Registry model: [Inks Allen W VIRUS SW](https://openairdocs.org/model/inks-allen-w-virus-sw) (registry code 05636FW) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider, amateur-built - Serial number: 517 SWN 100 IS - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 89.5 - Engines: Rotax 912IS SPORT 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 2018 - Departed: TOC, Toccoa, GA - Destination: GA18, Clayton, GA - Airport: GA18, Big Creek Flying Ranch, runway 27, 2,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Airframe parachute, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review December 31, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 842 total, 95 in this make and model, 763 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KTOC, 15 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 20180730004859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180730004859A), Jul 30, 2018: Inks Allen W VIRUS SW, Clayton, GA, Substantial damage. On Monday, July 30th, 2018, at approximately 1315 EST. [privacy data omitted] Attempted to land his experimental homebuilt powered glider, N608US, at GA18, Big… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97958. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 888 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Wreckage Sketch (item 3, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467985&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Sketch-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.