# NTSB LAX08CA219: Tallent, Chris M. Putts Special, N1959C, Sumter, SC, July 7, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2008, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Sumter, SC - Coordinates: 33.994998, -80.361389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9950&lon=-80.3614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68412 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68412/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA219 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glideslope and clearance from obstacles. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in the airplane type. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Tallent Chris M PUTTS SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056241R), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [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: [Tallent Chris M PUTTS SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=056241R), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Tallent Chris M PUTTS SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=056241R), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Tallent Chris M PUTTS SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=056241R), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Tallent Chris M PUTTS SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=056241R), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing the first landing of a planned series of traffic pattern touch-and-go operations. During the final approach, the airplane descended rapidly and the right wing tip clipped the top of a small tree. The airplane yawed and the airspeed decreased, resulting in a hard landing on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that weather was not a factor in the accident. He believed that his failure to maintain adequate altitude on approach caused the accident, and his limited experience in the accident airplane contributed to the accident. The pilot had 0.2 hours of flight time in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was performing the first landing of a planned series of touch-and-go traffic pattern operations. He noted that during the final approach, he allowed the airplane to descend too quickly, and the right wing tip clipped the top of a small tree. There was a significant change in direction, the airspeed reduced rapidly, and the airplane landed hard on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that weather was not a factor in the accident. He stated that he believed that the cause of the accident was his failure to maintain adequate altitude on the approach. Furthermore, he thought that his limited experience in the accident airplane, as well as the restricted forward visibility from the cockpit, contributed to the accident. He reported a total of 0.2 hours of flight time in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1959C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1959C-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N CT-001, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Tallent, Chris M. Putts Special - Registry model: [Tallent Chris M PUTTS SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/tallent-chris-m-putts-special) (registry code 056241R) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503DCSI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503dcsi) (registry code 55567, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CT-001 - Airframe hours: 19.5 - Engines: Rotax 503DCSI 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 1, 2007 - Departed: SMS, SUMTER, SC - Airport: SMS, Sumter Muni, runway 14, 3,081 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 1, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 131 total, 0 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg ## 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 20080707855129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080707855129A), Jul 7, 2008: Tallen PUTTSSPECIAL, Sumter, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot is a light sport pilot. Pilot states he was on approach and let the aircraft approach to steeply while he was trying to get a better view over the… 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.