# NTSB MIA05LA019: Scottish Bulldog 120/121, N556WH, Jacksonville, FL, October 28, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 28, 2004, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, FL - Coordinates: 30.235834, -81.680557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2358&lon=-81.6806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 60527 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60527/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA019 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance with trees resulting in the in-flight collision with a tree, damage to the right main landing gear, and subsequent collapse of the right main landing gear during the emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, descent - object - tree(s) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - collapsed ## Analysis The pilot stated that before departure both fuel tanks were filled and after takeoff, the flight proceeded towards the destination airport though deviation to maintain visual flight rules was necessary. After flying over the Okefenokee Swamp which is located in the southeastern portion of Georgia, he reported losing several hundred feet of altitude while looking down to confirm a radio frequency, then looked up and observed trees. He applied aft elevator control input, added power to climb, then felt impact with several trees. He then climbed and flew in a southerly direction to avoid entering Jacksonville's airspace, and after verifying the airplane was controllable, he established contact with Jacksonville Approach Control and declared an emergency. The flight was vectored to the Jacksonville International Airport where after touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed the leading edges of both wings exhibited semi-circular indentations. Additionally, the inboard drain for the left fuel tank was separated. The right wing fuel tank was drained and found to contain 2 quarts of fuel; the fuel selector was found positioned to the right tank position. The leading edge of the right main landing gear was noted to have impact damage; tree bark was noted in the damaged area of the gear. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 2004, about 1915 eastern daylight time, a Scottish Aviation Bulldog model 120/121, N556WH, registered to a private individual, collided with trees then experienced collapse of the right main landing gear during an emergency landing at the Jacksonville International Airport, Jacksonville, Florida. Weather conditions are unknown in the area of the tree contact location, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight from Newnan Coweta County Airport, Newnan, Georgia, to Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 1645, from Newnan County Airport. The pilot stated that before departure both fuel tanks were filled and after takeoff, the flight proceeded towards the destination airport though deviation to maintain visual flight rules was necessary. After flying over the Okefenokee Swamp, which is located in the southeastern portion of Georgia, he reported losing several hundred feet of altitude while looking down to confirm a radio frequency, then looked up and observed trees. He applied aft elevator control input, added power to climb, then felt impact with several trees. He then climbed and flew in a southerly direction to avoid entering Jacksonville's airspace, and after verifying the airplane was controllable, he established contact with Jacksonville Approach Control and declared an emergency. The flight was vectored to the Jacksonville International Airport where after touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed the leading edges of both wings exhibited semi-circular indentations. Additionally, the inboard drain for the left fuel tank was separated. The right wing fuel tank was drained and found to contain 2 quarts of fuel; the fuel selector was found positioned to the right tank position. The leading edge of the right main landing gear was noted to have impact damage; tree bark was noted in the damaged area of the gear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N556WH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N556WH), registered now, S/N BH120/249, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Scottish Aviation Bulldog 120/121 - Registry model: [Scottish BULLDOG MDL 120/121](https://openairdocs.org/model/scottish-bulldog-mdl-120-121) (registry code 8060103) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: BH120/249 - Airframe hours: 8907.6 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven A. Sanders - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 18, 2004, 20.2 hours before - Departed: CCO, NEWNAN, GA - Destination: KNIP, Jacksonville, FL - Airport: JAX, Jacksonville Intl, runway 07, 10,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 10, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 246 total, 130 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 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 20041028028969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041028028969A), Oct 28, 2004: Amtr BULDOG120121, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported hitting the tree tops while attending to radios at approximately 1000FT and 25MILES nw of jax intl. Airport. The left inbd. Fuel drain was… 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.