# NTSB NYC94LA010: Schlappi RV3, N669CP, Hatfield, MA, October 15, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1993, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Hatfield, MA - Location: 42.3729° N, 72.6037° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hatfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3729&lon=-72.6037&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38701/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA010 ## Probable cause The pilot misjudged his distance and altitude which resulted in an undershoot of the runway. A factor was his delay in intiating a go around. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS ON APPROACH TO RUNWAY 29 WHEN HE LANDED ABOUT 35 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DIRT BANK. THE PILOT REPORTED THE APPROACH WAS ROUTINE UNTIL SHORT FINAL, WHEN THE AIRPORT AND TREES 'STARTED TO' BOIL UNDER ME AND I ADDED POWER TO 'MAINTAIN ALTITUDE BUT THE (DIRT BANK) CAME UP...' THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. ## Factual narrative On Friday, October 15, 1993, at about 1400 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt, Schlappi, RV3, N669CP, piloted by Mr. Dale Schlappi, collided with the terrain while landing at Hatfield/Pilgrim Airport, Hatfield, Massachusetts. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot was performing an approach to land on runway 29, undershot the runway, struck a dirt embankment approximately 35 feet from the approach end of the runway. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: ...after entering [the] final leg about one mile from 29's threshold I lowered to 40 degrees flap and moved prop to low pitch. This was the landing configuration and most of the final leg was routine until short final. The field [airport] and trees started to boil under me and I added power to maintain altitude but the bank [embankment] of the road came up and the next thing that I remember I was being taken out of the airplane that was resting on the road just short of runway 29. FAA Inspector, William Wicks, examined the wreckage, and found no discrepancies. Mr. Wicks said the pilot reported he had encountered wind shear, but Mr. Wicks could not find any weather reports indicating wind shear in the area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N669CP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N669CP-2012-06-13), registration cancelled 2012-06-13, S/N 11081, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHLAPPI RV3 - Registry model: [Lock Mitchell VANS RV-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/lock-mitchell-vans-rv-3) (registry code 05608EE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 11081 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-DIA 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dale Schlappi - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1993, 59 hours before - Airport: MA03, Hatfield/Pilgrim, runway 29, 2,200 × 140 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,719 total, 59 in this make and model, 2,577 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19931015044729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931015044729A), Oct 15, 1993: Amtrmm RV3, Hatfield, MA, Substantial damage. Turbulence on final. Landed short. Struck dirt embankment. 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.