# NTSB SEA06CA010: Michael Moneyhan Magnum, N686JM, Cougar, WA, October 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 22, 2005, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Cougar, WA - Coordinates: 46.064723, -122.020835 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0647&lon=-122.0208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62710/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA010 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to land on the uneven terrain, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. Factors contributing to the accident included the uneven terrain and the sunglare condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - sand bar - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot made two passes over the sand bar looking for a good place to land. Observing an area with ATV tracks, which didn't appear to be too deep, the pilot made his approach and touched down. While rolling out the pilot observed deep swales in front of him, which he failed to see from the air due to the sunglare. After applying full power in an attempt to go around the airplane impacted three swales, resulting in the main landing gear separating and the airplane nosing over before coming to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On October 22, 2005, approximately 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Michael Moneyhan Magnum, single-engine airplane, N686JM, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain and nosing over near Cougar, Washington. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. The certificated private pilot and his sole passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, which was operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. At 1200 the local flight departed the Walter Sutton Private Airstrip (WA79), Amboy, Washington. In a written statement the pilot reported that after making two low approaches over the sand bar looking for a good place to land, "...I thought I had picked out a nice flat and hard place; there were All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) tracks on it and they appeared not to be very deep and the area looked flat." The pilot further reported that after he had touched down and was rolling out, "...deep swales appeared in front of me that could not be seen from the air. I applied full power to go around, but was unable to get flying speed before I could avoid hitting the first one." The pilot stated that the airplane bounced and hit terrain with its right wing tip and flaperon, before closing the throttle. The pilot reported that as he was pulling the mixture to full lean the airplane hit a third swale, resulting in both main landing gear separating from the airplane before nosing over and coming to rest in an inverted position. The pilot stated that the swales were not visible to him due to the "bright, sunny day." The pilot reported that damage to the airplane included the left wing and both wing struts being bent, the propeller and propeller spinner destroyed, the rudder bent, and the right wing damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N686JM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N686JM), registered now, S/N 112M, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Michael Moneyhan Magnum - Registry model: [Moneyhan Michael MAGNUM](https://openairdocs.org/model/moneyhan-michael-magnum) (registry code 05607U5) (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: 112M - Engines: Lycoming IO-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael W. Moneyhan - Registered owner: Michael W. Moneyhan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: WA79, Amboy, WA - Destination: Cougar, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,302 total, 500 in this make and model, 61 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20051022023829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051022023829A), Oct 22, 2005: Amtr MAGNUM, Swift Resevoir, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) 1. While landing on an unimproved sand bar at the east end of Swift Resevoir east of woodland Washington the aircraft encountered rough terrain and… 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.