# NTSB WPR13CA235: Swanson Tiger Moth 80, N928VS, Lynden, WA, May 17, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 16, 2013, 20:30 local (May 17, 2013, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Lynden, WA - Coordinates: 48.955833, -122.458053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.9558&lon=-122.4581&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86931 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86931/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86931 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA235 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during final approach and his obscured vision due to the sun glare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Swanson Vern L TIGER MOTH 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0562401), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Swanson Vern L TIGER MOTH 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=0562401), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Swanson Vern L TIGER MOTH 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=0562401), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Swanson Vern L TIGER MOTH 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=0562401), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Swanson Vern L TIGER MOTH 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=0562401), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Swanson Vern L TIGER MOTH 80, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0562401), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that following an uneventful flight, he noted that the wind favored landing to the west, into the sun. During final approach to the runway, the pilot's view of the runway was obscured by the sun glare, however, he "thought I would get through the blind spot" and elected not to abort the landing. Subsequently, the right wing of the airplane struck a tree and the airplane impacted the ground, which resulted in structural damage to both the upper and lower left and right wings, and forward portion of the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Official sunset was about 17 minutes after the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that following an uneventful flight, he noted that the wind favored landing to the west, into the sun. During final approach to the runway, the pilot's view of the runway was obscured by the sun glare, however, he "thought I would get through the blind spot" and elected not to abort the landing. Subsequently, the right wing of the airplane struck a tree and the airplane impacted the ground, which resulted in structural damage to both the upper and lower left and right wings, and forward portion of the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Official sunset was about 17 minutes after the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N928VS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N928VS-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N TM44, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SWANSON TIGER MOTH 80 - Registry model: [Swanson Vern L TIGER MOTH 80](https://openairdocs.org/model/swanson-vern-l-tiger-moth-80) (registry code 0562401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: TM44 - Engines: JABIRU 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 38W, Lynden, WA - Destination: 38W, Lynden, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 38W, Lynden Airport, runway 07, 2,425 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 281 total, 185 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: BLI, 10 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 20130516008869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130516008869A), May 16, 2013: Swanson Vern L TIGER MOTH 80, Lynden, WA, Substantial damage. The pilot was returning to his home field shortly after 8 pm and elected to land on runway 25 due to a reported 6 knot wind from the west. While on final… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86931. 96 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.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.