# NTSB LAX84LA409: Vance-Hamm Glasair, N499SH, Scottsdale, AZ, July 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1984, 12:29 local (19:29 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.610443, -111.890945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6104&lon=-111.8909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA409
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA409

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHEN THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF, THE TOWER WAS REPORTING A WIND FROM 260 DEG AT 11 KTS. THE TAKEOFF WAS INITIATED & THE ACFT ACCELERATED NORMALLY. WHEN THE TAILWHEEL WAS RAISED, THE PLANE BEGAN DRIFTING LEFT. THE PLT SAID SHE APPLIED RUDDER UNTIL SHE HAD FULL RIGHT RUDDER DEFLECTION, BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED OFF THE RWY & HEADED FOR A TAXIWAY. THE ACFT WAS LIFTED OFF THE GROUND TWICE WITH INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO REMAIN AIRBORNE. FINALLY, IT STALLED AT ABOUT 20 FT AGL & CONTACTED THE GROUND RIGHT WING 1ST. ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, THE WIND SOCK AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY WAS LIMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N499SH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: VANCE-HAMM GLASAIR
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 201
- Airframe hours: 33
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James H Hamm Jr
- Registered owner: James H. Hamm, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 17, 1984, 33 hours before
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Airport: SDL, Scottsdale Municipal, runway 3, 8,251 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 556 total, 15 in this make and model, 452 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDL

## 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 19840722051319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840722051319A), Jul 22, 1984: Amtr GLASAIR, Scottsdale, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control during takeoff with a slight downwind factor.

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.

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