# NTSB MIA95LA061: Glassair III, N300FF, Boynton Beach, FL, January 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1995, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Boynton Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.510406, -80.150459 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5104&lon=-80.1505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37723
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37723/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA061

## Probable cause

a violent shimmy of the nose gear for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in an on-ground loss of directional control and a subsequent nose over.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was making a touch-and-go landing. During the landing, the nose gear started a violent shimmy. Subsequently, it turned from the path of travel, and the airplane nosed over. A witness, who observed the landing, confirmed the pilot's statement. Examination of the nose gear by an airframe and powerplant mechanic did not reveal evidence of a failure. No reason was found for the reported shimmy of the nose gear.

## Factual narrative

On January 22, 1995, about 1410 eastern standard time, a Glassair III, N300FF, registered to Jack G. Rouse, experienced an on-ground loss of control during a touch-and-go landing at Willis Gliderport, Boynton Beach, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 flight.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted sustaining substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The commercial pilot and commercial pilot/passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Willis Gliderport, Florida, 1 hour before the accident.

The pilot stated he was making a touch-and-go landing. The  nose gear started a violent shimmy after landing, turned perpendicular to the path of travel, and the airplane nosed over. A witness who observed the landing confirmed the pilot's statement, and stated the elevator was in the full up position during the landing rollout.

Examination of the nose gear by an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed no evidence of a failure. The cause of the reported shimmy in the nose gear could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300FF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N300FF), registered now, S/N 3113 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASSAIR III
- Registry model: [Dobson Richard GLASAIR III](https://openairdocs.org/model/dobson-richard-glasair-iii) (registry code 05622AD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3113
- Airframe hours: 140
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-S1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack G. Rouse
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1995, 10 hours before
- Departed: 1X4, FL
- Airport: 1X4, Willis Gliderport, runway 9, 4,600 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,331 total, 56 in this make and model, 1,201 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 6 nm away

## 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 19950122000659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950122000659A), Jan 22, 1995: Amtr GLASAIRIII, Boynton Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Nose gear shimmy. Swerved. Nosed over. No reason found for reported shimmy. Pilot lost control.

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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