# NTSB SEA94LA027: Springer Christina Minicoupe, Spokane, WA, November 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: November 7, 1993, 23:42 UTC, 15:42 local
- Place: Spokane, WA
- Location: 47.6829° N, 117.3224° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FELTS FLD (SFF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director, August 1, 1994
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA027
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD 'A NICE STRAIGHT IN APPROACH WITH PLENTY OF AIRSPEED.' AS THE AIRCRAFT PASSED OVER THE NUMBERS A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD. WINDS WERE CALM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On November 7, 1993, at 1542 hours Pacific standard time (PST), a Springer Christina Minicoupe, N71GS, registered to and being flown by James S. Bleasner, a certificated private pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing on runway 3 left, at Felts Field, Spokane, Washington. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions with calm winds existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR91 and originated from Felts Field at approximately 1540 hours.

The pilot reported that the "final approach seemed normal enough and I had a nice straight in approach with plenty of airspeed" and that "just as I was coming in over the numbers about 10 feet AGL (above ground level), the aircraft suddenly dropped to the runway surface, damaging the aircraft." The aircraft subsequently veered left off the runway striking a VASI box and runway light before it came to rest.

## Sequence of events

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: N71GS, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71GS-2003-02-26) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SPRINGER CHRISTINA MINICOUPE (CHRISTINA)
- Registry model: Springer CHRISTINA (registry code 0562550, https://openairdocs.org/model/springer-christina) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Volkswagen CONVERSION (registry code 63501, https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: MC104
- Airframe hours: 436
- Engines: Volkswagen 2100D 65 horsepower
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: BLEASNER, JAMES, S.
- Destination: SFF
- Airport: SFF, FELTS FIELD, runway 3L
- FAA reports: 19931107052219A (https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931107052219A) (OpenAirDocs)

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 49; private; medical class 3; hours: 114 pic, 1 pic in this make and model, 181 total, 1 total in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility (statute miles): 20
- Temperature (°F): 42.8

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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From OpenAirDocs.org, an independent open copy of NTSB and FAA data. The NTSB's own report is the official record of an investigation.