NTSB Factual Report

On April 26, 2009, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Goodacre Comp Monster H P (CA4-HP) airplane, N33254, collided with the terrain while landing at the Mansfield Airport (8W3), Mansfield, Washington. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. The pilot and two passengers all received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that departed Sandpoint Airport (SZT), Sandpoint, Idaho, about 1015. The flight was destined for Mansfield, and no flight plan had been filed.

According to two witnesses, they observed the airplane on approach, descending to land. The airplane did not appear to be in any "distress" prior to the accident.

First responders reported that the airplane came to rest off the runway in a plowed wheat field. One of the wings had been compromised, and was leaking fuel.

According to the pilot he entered the downwind leg for runway 03 at Mansfield. He did not see a windsock, but recalled seeing an "airplane-type wind indicator on the ground on the [north] side of the field," which indicated a landing on runway 03 would be in order, and "to expect a left crosswind component." The pilot reported that everything appeared normal on the approach, and that he does not remember very much of the event. He stated that the last 3 to 5 seconds while on final, the airplane was bounced around from the "winds and/or turbulence," and that he had decided to go-around. The pilot reported that when he decided to go-around the airplane was between 75 to 100 feet above ground level (agl). He applied full power, waited a few seconds, and then raised the flaps.

The pilot recalled looking out the window and being surprised to see that he was low, but also in danger of not making the runway. The airplane touched down on the runway centerline in "more-or-less" of a landing configuration with full power. He considered keeping the airplane on the runway, but indicated that it was a narrow runway and the airplane was being "blown about like a toy." He recalled the airplane being bounced back into the air with the right wing low, and departing the runway environment. He applied left aileron in an attempt to raise the right wing, and then he did not recall anything else until the medivac helicopter arrived.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and found no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

The closest official weather observation station was Pangborn Memorial Airport (EAT), Wenatchee, Washington, which was located 33 nautical miles (nm) southwest of the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 1,249 feet msl. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) was issued at 1055 with the following information: clear skies; visibility 10 statute miles; winds from 300 degrees at 9 knots; temperature 13 degrees Celsius; dew point -5 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.15 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing with a known crosswind condition.