# NTSB GAA20CA018: Foxworthy Rick A Sonex, N612RF, Langley, WA, October 11, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2019, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Langley, WA - Coordinates: 48.017501, -122.437774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0175&lon=-122.4378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100417 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100417/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100417 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in 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: [Foxworthy Rick A SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=05638E8), [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: [Foxworthy Rick A SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05638E8), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Foxworthy Rick A SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05638E8), [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. - [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Foxworthy Rick A SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05638E8), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Foxworthy Rick A SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05638E8), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on left base leg in the traffic pattern, the airplane was high. He made a 270° descending right turn to final and added 20° of flaps. The airplane descended faster than expected, and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane then impacted terrain and came to rest inverted, and a postcrash fire ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, on left base in the traffic pattern, the airplane was high. He made a 270° descending right turn to final and add 20° of flaps. The airplane descended faster than expected and the left wing struck a tree. The airplane impacted terrain, came to rest inverted, and postcrash fire ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N612RF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N612RF-2021-03-08), registration cancelled 2021-03-08, S/N 1559, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FOXWORTHY RICK A SONEX - Registry model: [Foxworthy Rick A SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/foxworthy-rick-a-sonex) (registry code 05638E8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1559 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 4.5 - Engines: Aerovee Aerovee 2.1 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: W10, Langley, WA - Destination: W10, Langley, WA - Airport: W10, Whidbey Air Park, runway 34, 2,470 × 25 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 23, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 160.3 total, 1.7 in this make and model, 160.3 as pilot in command, 4.3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KPAE, 9 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 20191011019379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191011019379A), Oct 11, 2019: Foxworthy Rick A SONEX, Langley, WA, Substantial damage. During the base to final turn the pilot noticed the oil pressure was dropping. He made a turn to final and realized he was too high. He initiated a 270 degree… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100417. 995 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 519 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478974&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.