The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Great Lakes Aero LLC
Location: St. Mary's, Pennsylvania
Accident Number: ERA20CA210
Date & Time: June 8, 2020, 12:30 Local
Registration: N863K
Aircraft: Great Lakes 2T 1A
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing area undershoot
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that after about 15 minutes of flying around the airport, he returned for landing. While he was on the base leg of the airport traffic pattern, he thought the airplane was a little high, so he reduced engine power so he could join the final approach on a 3-degree glide slope. As he entered the final approach, he added a little power and aimed for a touchdown point about 1,000 ft down the runway, which was sloped; it was higher on the approach end and dipped down in the middle. During short final, he realized that he descended below the glide path and his sink rate was higher than expected, so he added engine power, but shortly after doing so, he felt a "bang" and jolt, followed by a pitch down and impact with the terrain. The airplane struck a localizer antenna near the approach end of the runway and skidded to a stop in the grass. The forward portion of the fuselage, right wing, and horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain proper glide path during final approach which resulted in a collision with airport equipment short of the runway.
Findings
Personnel issues Delayed action - Pilot
Aircraft Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Tower/antenna (incl guy wires) - Awareness of condition
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing Landing area undershoot (Defining event)
Approach-VFR pattern final Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Flight instructor
Age: 75, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 15, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 23, 2018
Flight Time: 23700 hours (Total, all aircraft), 20 hours (Total, this make and model), 19900 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Great Lakes
Registration: N863K
Model/Series: 2T 1A Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1932
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 124
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: June 1, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1618 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1190.88 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Warner
ELT: C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: SuperScarab
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 165 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OYM,1934 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:35 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 100°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 20°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: St. Mary's, PA (OYM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: St. Mary's, PA (OYM)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 12:05 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: St Marys Muni OYM
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1934 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Rough
Runway Used: 10 IFR
Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4300 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.412498,-78.502502(est)
If possible, using a short steep circling downwind, base, and final approach is mpreferred method to land a plane that has limited visibility. Sometimes it’s is not possible due to other traffic, resulting in your downwind leg being extended. A long drawn out slow approach will more often than not result is a poor landing due to the limited visibility over the nose and to the sides. Many times slipping or at least cocking the nose, while maintaining sufficient altitude helps. Also takes allot of landings to feel comfortable. Usually always thinking about landing after departing in my biplane, even with 1000 plus successful landings. Looks like a beautiful plane that can be repaired.
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