# NTSB SEA99LA124: Navion B, N5304K, Stanley, ID, July 16, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 1999, 09:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Stanley, ID - Coordinates: 44.260993, -114.969932 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2610&lon=-114.9699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46985/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA124 ## Probable cause An improperly planned approach and gusting wind conditions. A tailwind was a factor. ## Analysis The pilot reported that he first over flew the airstrip to assess the landing field. The pilot stated that he was aware that this was a 'one way strip' and that he would be landing with a tailwind of about ten knots. The pilot stated that just prior to flaring, the airplane was about 20 to 30 feet above ground level, when it suddenly went straight down. The pilot applied full power, however, the airplane continued the rapid descent and subsequently landed hard on all three landing gear. Both the pilot and the flight instructor on board felt that the aircraft was hit with a strong tailwind gust. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 1999, at 0955 mountain daylight time, a Navion B, N5304K, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, landed hard at the Sulphur Creek Ranch airstrip, located about 30 miles northwest of Stanley, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The flight departed from McCall, Idaho, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that he was participating in a mountain flying seminar that consisted of practicing takeoffs and landings at high density altitude to short dirt/grass airstrips in canyons and valleys. The pilot stated that he circled the airstrip twice to assess the landing field. The pilot reported that he entered the pattern at about 900 feet above ground level for landing on runway 26 with a tailwind of about ten knots. The pilot stated that just prior to flaring, the airplane was about 20 to 30 feet above ground level, when it suddenly went straight down. The pilot applied full power, however, the airplane continued to descend and landed hard on all three landing gear. The landing roll was uneventful and the pilot taxied the airplane to parking to check for damage. The pilot reported that he felt that a sudden down draft or high tailwind gust caused the airplane to drop like it did. The flight instructor reported that the pilot did not have time to react to the tailwind gust which resulted in the aircraft's rapid descent and subsequent hard landing. The Idaho Airport Facilities Directory recommends "land runway 26 (upstream), takeoff runway 8 (downstream); one way strip." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5304K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5304K), registered now, S/N 2204B, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Navion B - Registry model: [Navion NAVION B](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-b) (registry code 6150112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2204B - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: Continental IO-520B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Theodore C. Carr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1999, 30 hours before - Departed: MYL, MCCALL, ID - Airport: Sulphur Creek Ranch, runway 26, 3,300 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 491 total, 391 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19990716042999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990716042999A), Jul 16, 1999: Tmpson NAVIONB, Sulphur Creek, ID, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated this flight was part of a mountain flying seminar held in mccall, ID. The Sulphur Creek airstrip is a private one-way mountain strip.… 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.