Amateur-built SHA GLASAIR SH-2R accident near Santa Paula, California, November 28, 2021
On November 28, 2021 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1993 amateur-built SHA GLASAIR SH-2R, registered N64DS, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Santa Paula, California (Santa Paula airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 28, 2021 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Paula, California · Santa Paula · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SHA GLASAIR SH-2R, built 1993
- Registration
- N64DS · no longer on the register · serial 602
- 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, as he approached the destination airport, he maneuvered the airplane to adjoin the left downwind. He noted that there were numerous airplanes in the traffic pattern and opted to perform a short approach to expedite the landing. The pilot did not remember if he performed his normal landing checklist but did remember that he did not follow his usual procedure of initiating a go-around if the landing gear was not assured to be down and locked. The airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted and slid off the runway surface into a berm. Both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation. The landing gear handle was in the down position, but he could not remember when he selected the gear down.
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
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Landing gear not configured during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Forgotten action/omission › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Gear extension and retract sys › Not used/operated
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,842 hours in all; 1,232 in this make and model; 108 in the last 90 days; 3,642 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 959 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 4, 2021; 37 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming I0-360-B1E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Camarillo CA at 7:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 2,665 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 60°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from KCMA, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCMA 031955Z 22006KT 4SM HZ CLR 17/09 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP141 T01720094
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on June 14, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.