MIA04LA074

NTSB accident investigation · Terry E. Morris Glasair III · Lakeland, FL · April 18, 2004

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
April 18, 2004, 08:11 local (12:11 UTC)
Place
Lakeland, FL
Injuries
1 minor, 1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N333ZZTerry E. Morris Glasair III
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report July 29, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FAA Flight Standards District Office
FAA report
20040418016699A
Case key
59089

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and establish a climb during an attempted go-around which resulted in a stall/mush and collision with terrain. His failure to follow air traffic control instructions is a contributing factor.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightGo-around (vfr)
Climb - not attainedPilot in commandCause
Airspeed - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Stall/mush
Instructions,written/verbal - not followedPilot in commandFactor
On ground/water collision with objectDescent - uncontrolled
Object - taxiway light
Nose gear collapsedLanding - roll
Nose overLanding - roll

Analysis

While on final approach to runway 9R at 200 feet mean sea level with a descent rate established , the controller advised him, "white low wing do not land on runway 9R sidestep over to the skinny runway to the left." He added almost full power to arrest the sink rate but in doing so, the angle of attack reached the critical angle almost immediately and he could no longer see the landing site in front of him. He maneuvered the airplane to the taxiway (9L), and touched down 5 feet too far to the right straddling a row of taxiway lights. The airplane continued on the ground and the nose landing gear hit one of the taxiway lights causing the nose landing gear wheel to separate. The airplane then nosed over. He and his passenger were trapped until they were rescued from the airplane. He further reported that he should have gone around, and there was no problems with the airplane or engine. He also reported that he first flew into Sun 'n Fun, in 2003, and had landed a total of six times. In all those occasions, he landed on runway 9R, and he expected to land on that runway during the accident flight. The pilot stated that the night before departing, he downloaded the NOTAM for arrival and departure procedures at Lakeland during Sun 'n Fun. The flight departed and before arrival to KLAL, he and his pilot-rated passenger monitored the KLAL Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) which was broadcasting information "A." He recalled ATIS information "A" indicated landings would be performed on runway 09, but he couldn't recall left or right designator. He heard on the frequency a controller advise for a "white low wing" airplane to turn base two times. He was not sure the controller was referring to his airplane due to the fact that he could not slow down to landing speed on a short base to final from his position, and he "surmised" the controller was not referring to his airplane. He continued on the downwind leg thinking he was going to land on runway 09 (9R), turned base, then while on final approach to runway 9R, he noted activity at the middle of the field and noted airplanes departing from that runway. He later reported that was not unusual during Sun 'n Fun. . Examination of the taxiway revealed rubber transfer within 24 inches from the south edge of the taxiway, approximately 650 feet past the intersection of that taxiway and taxiway designated "A4." Two other marks were noted in grass south of the taxiway edge associated with the mark made on the taxiway surface. The mark on the taxiway surface continues then travels off the surface onto grass. Three distinct marks on the grass were then noted; the mark from the middle of the two marks contacted a taxiway light concrete pad, and a heavy gouge and segments of shattered propeller blades were noted on the ground 80 feet past the taxiway light concrete pad. The airplane came to rest inverted on grass adjacent to the south edge of the taxiway, approximately 570 feet past the point of contact on the taxiway surface made by the left main landing gear. At the time of the accident, runway 9R was being used for departing aircraft only, and the taxiway (9L) was being used for landing traffic only. The automated terminal information service (ATIS) indicated close base for the taxiway (9L) and runway 9R, and the taxiway (9L), was 75 feet wide. Review of the voice tape of communications from the air traffic control tower revealed that the accident airplane was described as "low wing", but no color was mentioned. The "low wing" airplane was advised three times to turn base to land on the "skinny runway", designated 9L. The pilot was advised to maneuver the airplane to land on the taxiway (runway 9L). Review of the Notice to Airman (NOTAM) in effect for Sun 'n Fun revealed, "DO NOT land on the main, wide, Runway 9R/27 unless specifically instructed by the Control Tower."

Factual narrative

On April 18, 2004, about 0811 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Glasair III, N333ZZ, registered to a private individual, nosed over during the landing roll at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (KLAL), Lakeland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured, while one passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 0725, from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.

The pilot stated that the night before departing, he downloaded the NOTAM for arrival and departure procedures at Lakeland during Sun 'n Fun. The flight departed and before arrival to KLAL, he and his pilot-rated passenger monitored the KLAL Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) which was broadcasting information "A." He recalled ATIS information "A" indicated landings would be performed on runway 09, but he couldn't recall left or right designator. He heard on the frequency a controller advise for a "white low wing" airplane to turn base two times. He was not sure the controller was referring to his airplane due to the fact that he could not slow down to landing speed on a short base to final from his position, and he "surmised" the controller was not referring to his airplane. He continued on the downwind leg thinking he was going to land on runway 09 (9R), turned base, then while on final approach to runway 9R, he noted activity at the middle of the field and noted airplanes departing from that runway. He later reported that was not unusual during Sun 'n Fun.

While on final approach to runway 9R at 200 feet mean sea level with a descent rate established, the controller advised him, "white low wing do not land on runway 9R sidestep over to the skinny runway to the left." He added almost full power to arrest the sink rate but in doing so, the angle of attack reached the critical angle almost immediately and he could no longer see the landing site in front of him. He maneuvered the airplane to the taxiway (9L), and touched down 5 feet too far to the right straddling a row of taxiway lights. The airplane continued on the ground and the nose landing gear hit one of the taxiway lights causing the nose landing gear wheel to separate. The airplane then nosed over. He and his passenger were trapped until they were rescued from the airplane. He further reported that he should have gone around, and there was no problems with the airplane or engine. He also reported that he first flew into Sun 'n Fun, in 2003, and had landed a total of six times. In all those occasions, he landed on runway 9R, and he expected to land on that runway during the accident flight.

Examination of the taxiway revealed rubber transfer within 24 inches from the south edge of the taxiway, approximately 650 feet past the intersection of that taxiway and taxiway designated "A4." Two other marks were noted in grass south of the taxiway edge associated with the mark made on the taxiway surface. The mark on the taxiway surface continues then travels off the surface onto grass. Three distinct marks on the grass were then noted; the mark from the middle of the two marks contacted a taxiway light concrete pad, and a heavy gouge and segments of shattered propeller blades were noted on the ground 80 feet past the taxiway light concrete pad. The airplane came to rest inverted on grass adjacent to the south edge of the taxiway, approximately 570 feet past the point of contact on the taxiway surface made by the left main landing gear.

At the time of the accident, runway 9R was being used for departing aircraft only, and the taxiway (9L) was being used for landing traffic only. The automated terminal information service (ATIS) indicated close base for the taxiway (9L) and runway 9R, and the taxiway (9L), was 75 feet wide.

Review of the voice tape of communications from the air traffic control tower revealed that the accident airplane was described as "low wing", but no color was mentioned. The "low wing" airplane was advised three times to turn base to land on the "skinny runway", designated 9L. The pilot was advised to maneuver the airplane to land on the taxiway (runway 9L).

Review of the Notice to Airman (NOTAM) in effect for Sun 'n Fun revealed, "DO NOT land on the main, wide, Runway 9R/27 unless specifically instructed by the Control Tower."

Aircraft

Registration
N333ZZ
Reported as
Terry E. Morris Glasair III
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
3173
Airframe hours
112.2
Engine
Lycoming IO-720-A1B, 450 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Terry E. Morris
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Condition · March 9, 2002 · 112.2 hours before
Departed
KFXE · Fort Lauderdale, FL
Destination
KLAL · Lakeland, FL
Airport
KLAL · Lakeland Linder Regional, runway 9L, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
58
Injuries
None
Certificates
Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
March 28, 2004
Seat
Left
Flight hours
1,239 total · 113 in this make and model · 1,062 as pilot in command · 3 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
15 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 55 °F
Altimeter
30.38 inHg
Observed at
KLAL

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.