# NTSB SEA94LA079: Kelley Stits SA6B, N4696, Snohomish, WA, March 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1994, 16:25 local (Mar 10, 1994, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Snohomish, WA
- Coordinates: 47.940505, -121.999549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9405&lon=-121.9995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA079

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. FACTORS INCLUDE A POLE OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING LONG AND FAST, THE PILOT ELECTED TO INITIATE A GO- AROUND. DURING THE GO-AROUND, HE ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO GET TOO LOW, AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED/MUSHED INTO A POLE THAT WAS OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On March 9, 1994, approximately 1625 Pacific standard time (PST), a Kelley Stits SA6B, N4696, collided with a pole, off the departure end of the runway, during an attempted go-around at Harvey Field, Snohomish, Washington. The commercial pilot received minor injuries, his passenger was not injured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed the same location about 25 minutes earlier, was in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the passenger, the pilot landed a little long and fast, allowed the aircraft to bounce, and then elected to initiate a go-around. While trying to climb over power lines just off the end of the  runway, the pilot allowed his airspeed to get too low, and the aircraft stalled/mushed into a nearby pole.

The pilot, who voluntarily surrendered his certificate to the FAA, failed to return the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that was provided to him after the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4696](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4696-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 2186, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KELLEY STITS SA6B
- Registry model: [Stits SA6B](https://openairdocs.org/model/stits-sa6b) (registry code 86504TF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2186
- Engines: CONTINENTAL reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kelley, David L.
- Registered owner: Kelley, James A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: S43, Harvey Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F

## 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 19940309004309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940309004309A), Mar 9, 1994: Amtr SA6B, Snohomish, WA, Substantial damage. Landed long fast and bounced. Began late go around. Stalled trying climb over powerlines. Struck power pole.

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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