Amateur-built SPORTSMAN GS-2 accident near Manzanita, Oregon, January 4, 2014
On January 4, 2014 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 2009 amateur-built SPORTSMAN GS-2, registered N391TD, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Manzanita, Oregon (Nehalem Bay State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate landing flare and failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing with gusting wind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 4, 2014 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Manzanita, Oregon · Nehalem Bay State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SPORTSMAN GS-2 FT, built 2009
- Registration
- N391TD · registry record · serial 7041
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during final approach, the wind gusts ballooned the airplane up and down. Just prior to landing, he added power however, the airplane subsequently landed hard and bounced. He stated he could see that the right main gear was damaged from the hard landing and decided to depart from the area and land at another airport. Further examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage near the right landing gear attachment area. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,725 hours in all; 387 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 3,663 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 10, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 382 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, May 7, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Superior XP-360 (piston); 382 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RLD Richland WA at 6:00 pm
- Destination: 3S7 Manzanita OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 2,350 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.39 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from tmk, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.