# NTSB GAA18CA540: Yakovlev YAK 52, N3042W, East Stroudsburg, PA, August 25, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 25, 2018, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: East Stroudsburg, PA - Coordinates: 41.035831, -75.160552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0358&lon=-75.1606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98262 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA540 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98262/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98262 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA540 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, on short final, he decided to go around. He added that, during the go-around, the airplane "developed a severe vibration," so he made a precautionary landing with the gear retracted. The airplane slid, exited the runway, and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the external longerons on the lower fuselage and engine mounts. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing, on short final, he decided to go around. During the go-around, the airplane "developed a severe vibration" so he made a precautionary landing on runway 26 with the gear retracted. The airplane slid, exited the runway and impacted terrain. The inspector further reported that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the external longerons on the lower fuselage and engine mounts. The inspector added that, after his examination, he determined there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures to the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3042W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3042W-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 822209, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Yakovlev YAK 52 (No Series) - Registry model: [Yakovlev YAK 52](https://openairdocs.org/model/yakovlev-yak-52) (registry code 9830220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 822209 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 1270 - Engines: Vegeneev M14P 360 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Other - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2018 - Departed: N53, East Stroudsburg, PA - Destination: N53, East Stroudsburg, PA - Airport: N53, Stroudsburg-Pocono, runway 26, 3,087 × 30 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 905.7 total, 70 in this make and model, 826.5 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KMPO, 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 20180825012329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180825012329A), Aug 25, 2018: Yakovlev YAK 52, East Stroudsbur, PA, Substantial damage. Propeller strikes on displaced threshold of runway at approach end of rwy 26. Propeller fragments found adjacent to prop strike marks on rwy. Larger propeller… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98262. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.