Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare that resulted in a hard landing on soft/grassy terrain.
NTSB analysis
While the pilot was practicing off-airport landings in a field next to his home, he inadvertently allowed the airplane's nosewheel strut to hit the ground hard enough that it stuck into the soft grassy terrain and collapsed. The airplane then nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane’s flight control systems.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA306 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 22, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Coupeville, Washington
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built GLASTAR SP
- N-number
- N5617
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.