# NTSB IAD02LA083: Menzies Glassair II, N55RK, Laconia, NH, August 11, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 2002, 12:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Laconia, NH - Coordinates: 43.572498, -71.418891 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5725&lon=-71.4189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55438 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD02LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55438/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55438 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA083 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During the landing, the airplane bounced, then settled onto the runway with the tailwheel "off center." As it touched down, the airplane began to veer to the right, and the pilot added left rudder. The airplane continued off the right side of the runway and came to rest about 200 yards away. There were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 2002, at 1255 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Glassair II, N55RK, was substantially damaged during a landing at Laconia Municipal Airport (LCI), Laconia, New Hampshire. The certificated private pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he performed a "normal" approach to runway 26. During the landing, the airplane bounced, then settled onto the runway with the tailwheel "off center." As it touched down, the airplane began to veer to the right, and the pilot added left rudder. The airplane continued off the right side of the runway and came to rest about 200 yards away. The pilot reported that he did not apply any right rudder prior to the landing, and may have landed in a "3-point attitude." He also reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the fuselage was twisted, and damage was noted to the landing gear and propeller. Weather reported at Laconia, at 1255, included winds from 220 degrees at 6 knots, sky clear, temperature 87 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 54 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure 30.05 inches Hg. The pilot reported 1,000 hours of total flight experience on his most recent FAA third class medical, issued on July 7, 2001. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55RK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55RK), registered now, S/N TD 2020, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Menzies Glassair II - Registry model: [Menzies David R GLASAIR II S/TD](https://openairdocs.org/model/menzies-david-r-glasair-ii-s-td) (registry code 05628E3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TD2020 - Engines: Lycoming I0360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David Menzies - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LCI, Laconia, NH - Destination: LCI - Airport: LCI, Laconia Municipal, runway 26, 5,286 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 29, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: LCI ## 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 20020811017479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020811017479A), Aug 11, 2002: Amtr GLASAIRIISTD, Laconia, NH, No damage. (-23) After completing a short local flight, pilot returned to Laconia airport (lci) for touch and go's. on first landing the aircraft bounced in the three… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55438. 377 KB in all. - Summary of Interview (item 1, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40180028&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Interview-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 312 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.