| Crash location | 46.038889°N, 116.332223°W |
| Nearest city | Cottonwood, ID
46.048492°N, 116.349590°W 1.1 miles away |
| Tail number | N80978 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 20 Aug 2003 |
| Aircraft type | Globe GC-1B |
| Additional details: | None |
On August 20, 2003, approximately 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Globe GC-1B single-engine airplane, N80978, sustained substantial damage after a hard landing at the Cottonwood Municipal Airport (S64), Cottonwood, Idaho. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Orofino Municipal Airport, Orofino, Idaho, at 0910
In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, and according to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that while flaring to land an updraft caused the airplane to rise and touch down on the main landing gear "somewhat hard," causing the aircraft to bounce. The pilot stated that after it bounced he initiated a go-around with the carburetor heat on and the flaps in the down position. The pilot stated that despite adding full power the plane mushed and came back down, resulting in the left main landing gear collapsing. The airplane exited the runway down an incline to the left, impacted a fence, and came to rest upright in the adjoining pasture on the south side of the airstrip.
In addition to the damaged left main landing gear, both wings were substantially damaged, and the propeller was damaged due to a propeller strike.
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The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident were the updraft, the terrain drop-off, and the fence.