# NTSB SEA04LA085: Stinson SR-10E, N27782, Eliza Island, WA, May 16, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 2004, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Eliza Island, WA - Coordinates: 48.654167, -122.586944 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6542&lon=-122.5869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59236 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59236/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA085 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment of altitude/distance resulting in an undershoot of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot had never landed on the 1,600 foot grass airstrip before. Several days prior to the accident the pilot made 5 or 6 practice short field approaches and landings, safely stopping in less than 1,600 feet. During the accident approach and landing the pilot was dragging the airplane in under power in a higher than normal nose high attitude, which precluded him from seeing the first part of the runway. Thinking he would touch down in the first 100 feet, the pilot reduced the power to idle and started to flare when the airplane impacted a log, which was partially buried at the top of the beach bordering the end of the runway, separating both main landing gear. The aircraft subsequently slid down the runway approximately 100 to 150 feet before going up on its nose and falling back on its undercarriage and left wing. Both propeller blades were bent and the left wing tip was bent up approximately 20 degrees. No anomalies were reported with the airframe or engine which would have precluded normal operations. . ## Factual narrative On May 16, 2004, approximately 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson SR-10E single-engine airplane, N27782, sustained substantial damage after undershooting the runway on approach to landing at Eliza Island, Washington. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. The commercial pilot and his one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Skagit Regional Airport (BVS), Burlington-Mount Vernon, Washington, approximately 1330, and was destined for Eliza Island. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that he had never landed on the 1,600 foot grass airstrip, which terminated on the north end on a sloping, sandy beach. The pilot stated that several days before the accident he made 5 or 6 practice short field approaches and landings at another airport, and that he felt sure he could get the plane stopped safely in less than 1,600 feet. The pilot related, "Those practice landings were successful and I was consistently able to stop, even in light winds in 1,200 to 1,400 feet, using 70 knot approach speeds instead of the 80 knots I normally use." The pilot further stated that on the accident approach and landing, "I was 'dragging' the airplane in under power, and with the nose higher than normal and the radial engine hiding the first part of the runway, you start assessing your position by looking at the sides of the runway to maintain alignment." The pilot reported that as he approached the runway, and thinking he would be touching down in the first 100 feet, "I pulled the power off to idle and started to flare when we hit something with a big bang. The pilot reported the "something" was a big log which had been deposited at the top of the beach across the end of the runway, buried in about a foot of sand with the top two feet sticking up above the level of the grass runway. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position after sliding approximately 100 to 150 feet, going up on its nose, then falling back on its undercarriage. The pilot reported substantial damage to the left wing tip, which was bent up at approximately a 20 degree angle starting about 3 feet from the wing tip. Both main landing gear were separated and both propeller blades were bent as a result of a ground strike. The pilot also reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that no anomalies existed with the airplane prior to the departure or during the flight which would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27782](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27782), registered now, S/N 5949, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stinson SR-10E - Registry model: [Stinson SR-10E](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-sr-10e) (registry code 8631620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5949 - Airframe hours: 6987.4 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 2003, 30 hours before - Departed: BVS, Burlington, WA - Destination: Eliza Island, WA - Airport: Eliza Island Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 26, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,830 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: BLI, 8 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 20040516009159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040516009159A), May 16, 2004: Stnson SR10E, Bellingham, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot/owner reports he landed short while making an approach, and hit a log. He was concerned about the runway being short. The pilot/owner reports… 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.