# NTSB SEA04LA112: Cosmos Phase II, Bandera, WA, June 20, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 2004, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Bandera, WA
- Coordinates: 47.383335, -121.538612
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3833&lon=-121.5386&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA112

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an airport sign during the landing roll.  Inadequate compensation for the wind gust and the sign were factors.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the landing was uneventful, however, during the landing roll a sudden gust of wind from the right pushed the aircraft toward the left side of the runway and the "Welcome to Bandera" sign.  The aircraft struck the sign, and shortly after the aircraft came to rest, the pilot heard a "whoomp" sound followed by the start of a fire.  The pilot released his seatbelt and exited the aircraft sustaining serious burns to his lower legs and feet.  The aircraft was then consumed by the fire.  The pilot reported that he believed that the fuel tank was ruptured when he collided with the sign and traveled over the rough terrain which splattered fuel onto the hot section of the engine.

## Factual narrative

On June 20, 2004, about 1400 Pacific daylight time an unregistered Cosmos Phase II aircraft, owned and operated by the private pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with an airport sign during landing at Bandera State Airstrip, Bandera, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire and the pilot, the solo occupant, was seriously injured.  The flight departed from Arlington, Washington, about one hour prior to the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was flying as a solo student for proficiency and to test radio equipment with the intent to fly down the Duval Valley to Snoqualmie Falls and return.  The pilot stated that he decide to continue to Bandera State to check his fuel status before returning to Arlington.  The pilot reported that the landing was uneventful, however, during the landing roll a sudden gust of wind from the right pushed the aircraft toward the left side of the runway and the "Welcome to Bandera" sign.  The aircraft struck the sign, and shortly after the aircraft came to rest, the pilot heard a "whoomp" sound followed by the start of a fire.  The pilot released his seatbelt and exited the aircraft sustaining serious burns to his lower legs and feet.  The aircraft was then consumed by the fire.

The pilot reported that he believed that the fuel tank was ruptured when he collided with the sign and traveled over the rough terrain which splattered fuel onto the hot section of the engine.

The pilot reported that he holds a private pilot certificate for glider operations.  The pilot also reported that he has accumulated 130 hours as pilot-in-command, as a student pilot, in the Cosmos Phase II.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cosmos Phase II
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: Rotax 582 50 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Denny P. Grindall
- Departed: AWO, Arlington, WA
- Destination: 4W0, Bandera, WA
- Airport: 4W0, Bandera State, runway 26, 2,344 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; private; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

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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