# NTSB WPR12CA206: Hunter A-20 Vista Cruiser, N9027M, Molalla, OR, May 14, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2012, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Molalla, OR - Coordinates: 45.14611, -122.6175 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1461&lon=-122.6175&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 August 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83643 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83643/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83643 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA206 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a rock during an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hunter John A-20 VISTA CRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0561798), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hunter John A-20 VISTA CRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=0561798), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hunter John A-20 VISTA CRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0561798), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Hunter John A-20 VISTA CRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0561798), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Hunter John A-20 VISTA CRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=0561798), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hunter John A-20 VISTA CRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0561798), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was looking for off-airport landing locations and observed a dirt road that appeared to be suitable for landing. The pilot stated that, after several practice approaches, he performed a flat approach to the road and landed hard. The airplane’s left wing struck a rock, the airplane veered to the left, and the main landing gear separated, which resulted in structural damage to the left and right wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the flight he was locating off airport landing locations and observed a dirt road that appeared to be suitable for landing. The pilot stated that he performed a flat approach to the road with power and landed hard. Subsequently, the left wing struck a rock and the airplane immediately veered to the left and the main landing gear separated, which resulted in structural damage to the left and right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9027M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9027M), registered now, S/N SA-20C-042 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUNTER A-20 VISTA CRUISER - Registry model: [Hunter John A-20 VISTA CRUISER](https://openairdocs.org/model/hunter-john-a-20-vista-cruiser) (registry code 0561798) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: SA-20C-042 - Airframe hours: 270 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 2011, 20 hours before - Departed: Hubbard, OR - Destination: Hubbard, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 5, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 219 total, 84 in this make and model, 181 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: UAO, 9 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 20120514008149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120514008149A), May 14, 2012: Hunter John A-20 VISTA CRUISER, Mololla, OR, Substantial damage. Departed lenhardt airpark (7S9) attempted Off Airport practice landing on a logging road. Hard landing during rollout left wing appears to have struck rock… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83643. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370437&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. --- 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.