# NTSB GAA19CA241: Stemme S 10, N2280X, Sonoma, CA, May 3, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2019, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Sonoma, CA - Coordinates: 38.257499, -122.434165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2575&lon=-122.4342&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99371 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA241 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99371/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99371 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA241 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to land with a tailwind and his failure to maintain a proper approach, which resulted in a long landing, a runway overrun, and impact with a tree. ## 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: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: landing distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 68 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1130868), [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: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1130868), [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: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stemme S-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1130868), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the powered glider reported that, while on final, he saw that the ground speed was higher than the indicated airspeed. Upon landing, the powered glider veered left, and he corrected with left brake and rudder. The powered glider then overran the runway and impacted a tree. The powered glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered glider that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, after the accident, he was told the airplane touched down beyond halfway down the runway, and he recommended not landing with a tailwind. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a power-glider reported that, while on final, he observed that his ground speed was higher than his indicated airspeed. Upon landing on the first ¼ of the 2700 ft runway, the powered-glider veered left and he corrected with left brake and rudder, and the power-glider overran the runway, and impacted a tree. The powered-glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered-glider that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located 6 NM east of the accident reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 5 knots. The powered-glider was landing on runway 26. The pilot further reported that he was later told he touched down beyond halfway down the runway and the pilot recommended not landing with a tailwind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2280X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2280X), registered now, S/N 10-27 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stemme S 10 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Stemme S-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/stemme-s-10) (registry code 1130868) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 10-27 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 321 - Engines: AMA/EXPR 99999 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 2018 - Departed: 0Q3, Schellville, CA - Destination: 0Q3, Schellville, CA - Airport: 0Q9, Sonoma Skypark, runway 26, 2,480 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: minor; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 16, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KDVO, 8 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 20190503017289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190503017289A), May 3, 2019: Stemme Gmbh & Co S-10, Sonoma, CA, Destroyed. N2280X, S10S motor-glider, overshot landing @ Sonoma Valley Airport (0Q3), hit a tree, landed on a road, 1 pob/minor injury, damage substantial, ATC services… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 23, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99371. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 515 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473142&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.