FLORENCE, OR, USA
N322S
JOHN HUBBARD GLASAIR II S
The pilot reported that just after the aircraft passed over the threshold and with the aircraft at about 50 feet AGL, it suddenly drifted to the left and the wing dropped about 20 degrees. The pilot tried to compensate back to the right, however, the aircraft descended rapidly and the right main landing gear touched down hard in the soft soil about ten feet from the runway edge. The aircraft bounced and became airborne to about six feet when the left wing struck and severed a small tree. The airplane spun around about 90 degrees and collided with additional trees and brush before coming to rest. The pilot reported that the winds were from a quartering right headwind to crosswind with peak gusts to about 23 knots.
On July 5, 1999, at 1440 Pacific daylight time, a Glasair II S, N322S, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with trees while landing at the Florence Airport, Florence, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received minor damage and the private pilot, the sole occupant was not injured. The flight had departed from Newport, Oregon, about 28 minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had set up for a landing on runway 33. While on the downwind leg, the pilot noted that the wind sock indicated that the wind was from 340 degrees to 350 degrees at ten to 14 knots, with gusts from 18 knots to 23 knots. The pilot reported that after passing over the threshold with the airplane at about 50 feet above ground level, the airplane drifted to the left and the wing dropped about 20 degrees. The pilot reported that he tried to correct to the right, however, the aircraft descended rapidly. The right main landing gear touched down hard about ten feet off the side of the runway on the soft soil. The aircraft bounced and became airborne to about four to six feet when the left wing collided with an approximate four inch diameter tree. The tree was severed and the aircraft spun to the left about 90 degrees. The aircraft struck additional small trees and brush before coming to rest.
Aircraft control was not maintained. Inadequate compensation for wind conditions and gusts were factors.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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