Pilot Debrief

SWANSON TIGER MOTH 80 near Lynden, WA — 2013-05-17

Final reportWPR13CA235
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Date
2013-05-17
Location
Lynden, WA, USA
Airport
38W
Aircraft
SWANSON TIGER MOTH 80
Registration
N928VS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during final approach and his obscured vision due to the sun glare.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that following an uneventful flight, he noted that the wind favored landing to the west, into the sun. During final approach to the runway, the pilot's view of the runway was obscured by the sun glare, however, he "thought I would get through the blind spot" and elected not to abort the landing. Subsequently, the right wing of the airplane struck a tree and the airplane impacted the ground, which resulted in structural damage to both the upper and lower left and right wings, and forward portion of the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Official sunset was about 17 minutes after the time of the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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