# NTSB LAX99LA042: Martin Stoddard Hamilton II, N658PM, Georgetown, CA, November 21, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 21, 1998, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Georgetown, CA - Coordinates: 38.72924, -120.800483 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7292&lon=-120.8005&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45373/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - flare - improper, dual student (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The private pilot/owner needed 1.7 hours to meet requirements for insurance coverage and was seeking a tail wheel endorsement. He and his instructor departed Sacramento en route to Auburn, and after conducting landing practice at Auburn, they headed for Georgetown. This was the pilot's first visit to the Georgetown airport. The first approach was high and a go-around was executed. On the second approach the aircraft ballooned during the flare and settled to a hard landing. A go-around was initiated but the aircraft departed the runway. After the main landing gear contacted a dense stand of scotch broom vegetation, the airplane came to rest. The pilot and instructor felt a dip in the runway was a factor in the landing sequence. ## Factual narrative On November 21, 1998, at 1115 hours Pacific standard time, a Martin Stoddard Hamilton II, N658PM, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Georgetown, California. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot/owner and his instructor were not injured. The flight departed Sacramento Executive Airport at 1015, flew to Auburn, California, then to Georgetown. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot needed 1.7 hours to fill an insurance requirement for 10 hours of dual instruction. He was also going to receive a tail wheel endorsement. After completing several landings at Auburn, they departed for Georgetown. The pilot stated he had never been to the Georgetown airport. The first approach was high and a go-around was initiated. On the second approach the instructor stated the aircraft ballooned during the flair and then settled to the runway in a hard landing. A full power go-around was initiated, but the aircraft departed the runway. After the landing gear contacted a dense stand of scotch broom vegetation, the aircraft came to a rest. The instructor and pilot felt the ballooning was partially due to a dip in the runway just past the numbers. The propeller, landing gear, and the right aileron and its attachment fittings were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N658PM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N658PM-2020-12-08), registration cancelled 2020-12-08, S/N 658, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MARTIN STODDARD HAMILTON II (STODDARD H) - Registry model: [Martin Peter K SH II](https://openairdocs.org/model/martin-peter-k-sh-ii) (registry code 05620TB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 658 - Airframe hours: 360 - Engines: Lycoming O 360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: John Boldrick III - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1998, 9 hours before - Departed: AUN, AUBURN, CA - Destination: Q61 - Airport: Q61, Georgetown, runway 16, 2,980 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 22,000 total, 11 in this make and model, 22,000 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19981121044579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981121044579A), Nov 21, 1998: Amtr GLASAIRSHII, Georgetown, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 21, 1998, at 1120 hours pacific standard time, a glasair GL-60, N658PM, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Georgetown,… 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.