# NTSB WPR13CA394: Henderson Michael E Glastar, N789MH, Sequim, WA, August 31, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 31, 2013, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Sequim, WA
- Coordinates: 48.097778, -123.186111
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0978&lon=-123.1861&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA394
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87931/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87931
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA394

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper soft field landing technique, and failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Henderson Michael E GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05615WH), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Henderson Michael E GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05615WH), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Henderson Michael E GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05615WH), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Henderson Michael E GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=05615WH), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Henderson Michael E GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05615WH), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Henderson Michael E GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05615WH), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Henderson Michael E GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05615WH), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot landed the experimental nose wheel-equipped airplane 500 feet beyond the landing threshold of the grass runway, having performed a full-flap, power-off approach. The runway was traversed by two asphalt taxiways, and during the ground roll, he observed a depression in the turf just before the first taxiway intersection. He then applied back pressure to the elevator control; however, the nose wheel dug into the depression, and the airplane nosed over. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The runway was normally 3,500 foot long, but at the time of the accident, the second half was closed. This was reflected in a NOTAM (notice to airmen), and the pilot was unaware of the closure. According to the airport manager, the depression was a drainage ditch, and was located to the left of runway, adjacent to the parallel asphalt runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot landed the experimental nose wheel-equipped airplane 500 feet beyond the landing threshold of the grass runway, having performed a full-flap, power-off approach. The runway was traversed by two asphalt taxiways, and during the ground roll, he observed a depression in the turf just before the first taxiway intersection. He then applied back pressure to the elevator control; however, the nose wheel dug into the depression, and the airplane nosed over. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The runway was normally 3,500 foot long, but at the time of the accident, the second half was closed. This was reflected in a NOTAM (notice to airmen), and the pilot was unaware of the closure. According to the airport manager, the depression was a drainage ditch, and was located to the left of runway, adjacent to the parallel asphalt runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N789MH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N789MH), registered now, S/N 5650, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HENDERSON MICHAEL E GLASTAR
- Registry model: [Henderson Michael E GLASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/henderson-michael-e-glastar) (registry code 05615WH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 5650
- Year built: 2004
- Airframe hours: 482
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, March 3, 2013, 10 hours before
- Departed: KPAE, Everett, WA
- Destination: W28, Sequim, WA
- Airport: W28, Sequim Valley Airport, runway 27R, 3,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 2, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,270 total, 307 in this make and model, 1,219 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: KCLM, 12 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 20130831015969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130831015969A), Aug 31, 2013: Henderson Michael E GLASTAR, Sequim, WA, Substantial damage. The pilot attempted an approach and normal landing to runway 27R, which is a turf runway parallel to the asphalt runway (27L). The turf runway is north of the…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87931. 883 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 533 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Airplane at Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Airplane at Accident Site (item 3, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site-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.

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