# NTSB WPR09CA306: Jenkins Jack Glastar SP, N5617, Coupeville, WA, June 22, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 22, 2009, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Coupeville, WA
- Coordinates: 48.171943, -122.671112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1719&lon=-122.6711&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration Seattle FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74103
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74103/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74103
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA306

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare that resulted in a hard landing on soft/grassy terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Jenkins Jack GLASTAR SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05622SU), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Jenkins Jack GLASTAR SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05622SU), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Jenkins Jack GLASTAR SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=05622SU), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Jenkins Jack GLASTAR SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05622SU), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Jenkins Jack GLASTAR SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05622SU), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Jenkins Jack GLASTAR SPORTSMAN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05622SU), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While the pilot was practicing off-airport landings in a field next to his home, he inadvertently allowed the airplane's nosewheel strut to hit the ground hard enough that it stuck into the soft grassy terrain and collapsed. The airplane then nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane’s flight control systems.

## Factual narrative

While the pilot was practicing off-airport landings in a field next to his home, he inadvertently allowed the airplane's nose wheel strut to hit the ground hard enough that it stuck into the soft grassy terrain and collapsed. The airplane then nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane’s flight control systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5617](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5617), registered now, S/N 7090, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JENKINS JACK GLASTAR SP
- Registry model: [Jenkins Jack GLASTAR SPORTSMAN](https://openairdocs.org/model/jenkins-jack-glastar-sportsman) (registry code 05622SU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7090
- Airframe hours: 26
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jenkins Jack
- Registered owner: Jenkins Jack
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 2009, 6 hours before
- Departed: KOKH, Oak Harbor, WA
- Destination: Coupville, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 8, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 26 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KNUW, 11 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 20090622009529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090622009529A), Jun 22, 2009: Amtr GLASTAR, Coupeville, WA, Substantial damage. (-23)[privacy data omitted]pilot of this aircraft was landing at his grass strip on his property for the first time when upon landing he bounced one time. The…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74103. 589 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 589 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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