# NTSB SEA98LA035: Bromley Steen Skybolt, N55740, Hillsboro, OR, February 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 5, 1998, 14:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, OR - Coordinates: 45.439899, -122.960922 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4399&lon=-122.9609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 10, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42755/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA035 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that after takeoff he remained in the traffic pattern and that he 'was too low on final approach and (the) wheels struck (the) slope leading to (the) end of (the) runway.' The airport manager reported that tire marks from the aircraft were observed approximately 30 feet short of the paved physical end of runway 02 which has a painted displaced threshold of 100 feet (north of its physical end). The landing gear then collapsed and the aircraft skidded down the runway on its belly during which it slid off the west side of the pavement. ## Factual narrative On February 5, 1998, approximately 1455 Pacific standard time, a Bromley Steen Skybolt homebuilt aircraft, N55740, registered to/being flown by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during an undershoot and loss of control on landing at Stark's Twin Oaks Airpark, Hillsboro, Oregon. The pilot sustained minor injuries. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the accident airport approximately 1450. The pilot reported that after takeoff he remained in the traffic pattern and that he "was too low on final approach and (the) wheels struck (the) slope leading to (the) end of (the) runway." The landing gear then collapsed and the aircraft skidded down the runway on its belly during which it slid off the west side of the pavement. The airport manager reported that tire marks from the aircraft were observed approximately 30 feet short of the paved physical end of runway 02. Runway 02 has a painted displaced threshold of 100 feet (north of its physical end). A witness reported that the aircraft bounced and then re-landed on the asphalt surface during which the left wingtip and propeller struck the ground. The aircraft then veered left off the west side of the runway and rolled down the dirt embankment upon which the runway is built up on, coming to rest in the mud. Winds at Hillsboro airport, located six nautical miles north, were reported at five knots and variable direction at 1450. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55740](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55740-2004-10-14), registration cancelled 2004-10-14, S/N 10GB (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BROMLEY STEEN SKYBOLT (STEEN SKYB) - Registry model: [Bromley Gregory STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/bromley-gregory-steen-skybolt) (registry code 05655SA) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 10GB - Airframe hours: 640 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pierson, Jack, L. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1997, 52 hours before - Departed: 7S3 - Airport: 7S3, Stark'S Twin Oaks Airpark, runway 2, 2,465 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,269 total, 221 in this make and model, 1,825 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HIO, 6 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 19980205000959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980205000959A), Feb 5, 1998: Amtr STEENSKYBOLT, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. Bounced landing overran runway into mud. (.4)the pilot reported that after takeoff he remained in the traffic pattern and that he 'was too low on final… 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.