Erickson (Glasair) SHA Glasair TD accident near Vansycle, OR

On December 15, 2003, an Erickson (Glasair) SHA Glasair TD (airplane) was involved in an accident near Vansycle, OR. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

December 15, 2003

Place

Vansycle, OR

Aircraft

Erickson (Glasair) SHA Glasair TD · Airplane

Injuries

2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

44.573°N, 122.072°W

NTSB ID

20031222X02075

Official records · SEA04LA027

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• Digital Image 3. A view of the anemometer tower "MET 132" impacted.: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Digital Image 5. A view of the upper section of the impacted tower.: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Digital Image 6. A close-up of the same tower section.: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

On December 15, 2003, approximately 1416 Pacific standard time an Erickson SHA Glasair TD homebuilt aircraft, N434SW, registered to/operated by and being flown by an airline transport rated pilot was destroyed during collision with a pole/wires and subsequent ground impact during an unknown phase of operation approximately one nautical mile north of Vansycle, Oregon. The pilot and passenger both sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, originated from Yakima, Washington, approximately 1345, and its destination was reported to be Walla Walla, Washington (refer to Chart I). An ear witness reported hearing an explosive sound and noted smoke in the direction of the sound. Upon investigating the location he found the aircraft heavily fragmented at the ground impact site. The aircraft was a single engine, homebuilt, composite, two-place plane with side-by-side seating (refer to Attachment G-I). Records maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed the pilot/owner was issued a certificate of registration for the aircraft on July 31, 2000. The pilot had been issued an airline transport certificate with a multi-engine land rating on May 31, 1985, including commercial privileges in aircraft single-engine land. Additionally, he held type ratings in the Boeing 737, Beech 1900 and Swearingen SA-227 aircraft. A single flight log in the pilot's name was reviewed and the total flight time between the first flight logged (10/06/1966) and the last flight logged (12/11/2003) was appro

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with the anemometer pole/wires during low altitude flight. Contributing factors were the pole and the pilot's low altitude flight.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.