# NTSB NYC07CA122: Hanson Gerald Hanson Bucker 131E, N234RX, Memphis, TN, May 19, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 19, 2007, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.200553, -90.053886
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2006&lon=-90.0539&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA122

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout that resulted in a collision with a lighting structure in the grass while landing.  A factor in the accident was the pilot's intentional landing in the runway safety area.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,visual apch slope ind(vasi) - other
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airline transport pilot reported that the Hanson Bucker 131E amateur-built airplane performed "beautifully" during the local pleasure flight and as he maneuvered the airplane to land in the grass parallel to runway 35, a paved runway.  At touchdown, the airplane struck the upwind set of visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights, and nosed over.  According to the airport manager, the airplane landed on the runway safety area, not a turf runway, and the VASI lights had been installed "for years."

## Factual narrative

The airline transport pilot reported the Hanson Bucker 131E amateur-built airplane performed "beautifully" during the local pleasure flight and as he maneuvered the airplane to land in the grass parallel to runway 35, a paved runway.  At touchdown, the airplane struck the upwind set of visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights, and nosed over.  According to the airport manager, the airplane landed on the runway safety area, not a turf runway, and the VASI lights had been installed "for years."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N234RX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N234RX), registered now, S/N 543 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hanson Gerald Hanson Bucker 131E
- Registry model: [Hanson Gerald E HANSON BUCKER 131E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hanson-gerald-e-hanson-bucker-131e) (registry code 05613UB) (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: 543
- Airframe hours: 400
- Engines: Avco Lycoming AE-10-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sonny Nivens
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 1, 2007
- Departed: 2M8, Millington, TN
- Destination: M01, Memphis, TN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: M01, General Dewitt Spain Airport, runway 35, 3,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight engineer, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 25,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 9 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 20070519008659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070519008659A), May 19, 2007: Amtr BUCKER131E, Memphis, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot and a witness stated that he lined up his approach to land in the grass parallel to runway 35 at General Dewitt Spain Airport. On touchdown,…

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.