# NTSB LAX93LA266: Glenn BD-4, N2849, Somerton, AZ, June 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1993, 06:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Somerton, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.530639, -114.710754 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5306&lon=-114.7108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA266

## Probable cause

THE SECOND PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE FROM THE RUNWAY WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNDERSHOOT, AND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION IN NOT TAKING TIMELY CORRECTIVE ACTION. IN ADDITION, NEITHER PILOT HAD ANY EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE, AND THE SECOND PILOT HAD NOT FLOWN DURING THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - misjudged, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE SECOND PILOT HAD JUST REBUILT THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE. HAVING NEVER FLOWN THIS TYPE OF AIRPLANE, AND HAVING NOT FLOWN IN THE LAST 90 DAYS, HE ASKED ANOTHER PILOT, WHO ALSO DID NOT HAVE ANY TIME IN TYPE, TO FLY WITH HIM ON THE INITIAL TEST FLIGHT AS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. AFTER PERFORMING SOME AIRWORK, THE SECOND PILOT THEN FLEW THE AIRPLANE TO A NEARBY AIRPORT FOR A LANDING. THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY COLLIDING WITH AN 18-INCH HIGH GRAVEL MOUND SEPARATING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2849 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GLENN BD-4
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 238
- Airframe hours: 231
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Black, Roy W.
- Registered owner: Black, Roy W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1993, 1 hours before
- Departed: YUMA, AZ
- Airport: 44A, Rolle Field, runway 35, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,100 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19930626020469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930626020469A), Jun 26, 1993: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Somerton, AZ, Substantial damage. Struck a dirt berm on short final for landing. Failed maintain proper glide path on first flight in type.

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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