# NTSB MIA08CA025: Messing Roy Sonex, N130SX, New Smyrna Beac, FL, December 6, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 6, 2007, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna Beac, FL
- Coordinates: 29.0533333333333, -80.9427777777778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0533&lon=-80.9428&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Orlando FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA025

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance while on final approach for landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

According to the pilot, "the purpose of the flight was to test a new instrument and conduct test approaches and landings to check flying characteristics at slower approach speeds. Previous approaches at 70 miles per hour (MPH) [were] too fast. After practicing slow flight and entering a stall speed into new instrument I was cleared for a 5-mile straight in approach to runway 2. After "dragging in" for 5-miles I attained my test final approach speed of 60 mph. There was a tree in my glide path so I climbed over it but underestimated my sink rate (which was the purpose of the test flight) the right gear snagged a limb which jerked me into a right hand roll. I applied power, leveled the wings, and pointed [the] nose ahead as it hit the ground. There were no visible markings on the runway to indicate a displaced threshold. The reason for the displaced threshold is the tree. If the runway was properly marked, I am sure I would have been reminded at least a mile out or one-half out that there was a displaced threshold and avoided the incident."

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, "the purpose of the flight was to test a new instrument and conduct test approaches and landings to check flying characteristics at slower approach speeds. Previous approaches at 70 miles per hour (MPH) [were] too fast. After practicing slow flight and entering a stall speed into new instrument I was cleared for a 5-mile straight in approach to runway 2. After "dragging in" for 5-miles I attained my test final approach speed of 60 mph. There was a tree in my glide path so I climbed over it but underestimated my sink rate (which was the purpose of the test flight) the right gear snagged a limb which jerked me into a right hand roll. I applied power, leveled the wings, and pointed [the] nose ahead as it hit the ground. There were no visible markings on the runway to indicate a displaced threshold. The reason for the displaced threshold is the tree. If the runway was properly marked, I am sure I would have been reminded at least a mile out or one-half out that there was a displaced threshold and avoided the incident."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N130SX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N130SX-2010-11-10), registration cancelled 2010-11-10, S/N 0013, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Messing Roy Sonex
- Registry model: [Messing Roy SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/messing-roy-sonex) (registry code 056102A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 0013
- Airframe hours: 49.4
- Engines: Jabiru 3300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert C. Abbaticchio
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2007, 8.6 hours before
- Departed: KEVB, New Smyrna Beac, FL
- Destination: KEVB, New Smyrna Beac, FL
- Airport: KEVB, New Smyrna Beach Municipal, runway 2, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,343 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,343 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KEVB

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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