# Accident 20240429003859A: Pratt William J BABY GREAT LAKES, Castroville, TX, April 29, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 29, 2024, 13:30 local time
- Place: Castroville, TX
- Airport: Castroville Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.3462° N, 98.8521° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3462&lon=-98.8521&mi=10
- Aircraft: N822CH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N822CH-2025-05-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Pratt William J BABY GREAT LAKES (registry code 3910255, https://openairdocs.org/model/pratt-william-j-baby-great-lakes) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PRATT WILLIAM J BABY GREAT LAKES
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA169) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240429003859A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON AN UNDOCUMENTED GRASS RUNWAY LOCATED BETWEEN THE PAVED RUNWAY AND THE TAXIWAY. THE GRASS RUNWAY RUNS PARALLEL AND TO THE EAST OF THE PAVED RUNWAY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE GRASS RUNWAY, THE PILOT REPORTED FEELING LIKE HE HIT A LARGE POTHOLE AND THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A REST ON THE GRASS RUNWAY APPROXIMATELY 1,410 FEET SOUTH FROM THE START OF RUNWAY AND APPROXIMATELY 35 FEET FROM THE TAXIWAY WITH THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT IN THE DIRT, TAIL UP AND POINTED APPROXIMATELY WEST. THE RIGHT WHEEL BROKE AWAY FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND THE RIGHT STRUT DUG INTO THE GROUND CAUSING THE LEFT AND RIGHT LANDING GEAR STRUTS TO BREAK APART AND DRIVING THE LEFT LANDING GEAR STRUT UPWARDS INTO THE NON-METAL FUEL TANK RUPTURING IT AND SPILLING FUEL ON THE PILOT AND THE ENGINE. THE PLANE CAUGHT FIRE UPON COMING TO A REST AND WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT WITH BURNS RECEIVED FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT WALKED/RAN APPROXIMATELY .5 MILES TO AN AIRPORT HANGAR AND REQUESTED HELP. THE PILOT IS BEING TREATED FOR BURNS OVER APPROXIMATELY 30% OF HIS BODY. THE PILOT IS LISTED IN CRITICAL, BUT STABLE CONDITION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE FIRE, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY WITH SOME CLOUDS AND APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WITH LIGHT WINDS. THE GRASS RUNWAY WAS DRY/NO STANDING WATER. THE PILOT WAS THE ONLY PERSON ON BOARD. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT CAUSED FROM POST-ACCIDENT FIRE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN24LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA169), Apr 29, 2024: Baby Great Lakes - (N822CH), Castroville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the right main landing gear axle due to multiple fatigue crack initiation points joining into a single larger crack.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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