# NTSB WPR23LA231: Johnson Gary L Fisher Horizon 1, N88GJ, Chelan, WA, June 12, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 12, 2023, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Chelan, WA - Coordinates: 47.86601, -119.9427 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8660&lon=-119.9427&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 192405 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192405/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192405 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA231 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper selection of a touchdown point and delayed recognition, which resulted in an impact with an obstacle. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Gary L FISHER HORIZON 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056254D), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Gary L FISHER HORIZON 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=056254D), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Gary L FISHER HORIZON 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056254D), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Johnson Gary L FISHER HORIZON 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056254D), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing touch and go maneuvers in the airport traffic pattern. During his second approach to land, the pilot improperly selected his touchdown point at the beginning of the runway instead of the runway threshold. When the pilot recognized he was not on the runway glide path by looking at the “visual approach slope indicator lights” (airport has a precision approach path indicator), he increased power to arrest his descent rate, but the right main landing gear collided with a road sign at the north end of the runway before the displaced threshold. The airplane impacted the ground, nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions and anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88GJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88GJ-2025-02-04), registration cancelled 2025-02-04, S/N HO 1186, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHNSON GARY L FISHER HORIZON 1 - Registry model: [Johnson Gary L FISHER HORIZON 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-gary-l-fisher-horizon-1) (registry code 056254D) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90-12F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-12f) (registry code 17183, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: HO 1186 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 233 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 4, 2023, 5 hours before - Departed: S10, Chelan, WA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: S10, Lake Chelan, runway 20, 3,506 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 130 total, 2 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KEAT, 30 nm away - METAR: KEAT 121655Z AUTO 23004KT 10SM CLR 24/13 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP124 T02390133 ## 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 20230612007539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230612007539A), Jun 12, 2023: Johnson Gary L FISHER HORIZON 1, Chelan, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot was in the pattern at a Lake Chelan Airport (S10). On second approach, pilot came in too low and right main landing gear struck a sign near the end of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192405. 2.4 MB in all. - Accident photograph (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 966 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15721546&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15721282&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.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.