# Accident 20240921020519A: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1A, Taft, CA, September 21, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 21, 2024, 17:43 local time
- Place: Taft, CA
- Airport: Off Airport Private Property
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.1535° N, 119.2297° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1535&lon=-119.2297&mi=10
- Aircraft: N56TA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56TA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aviat A-1A (registry code 2210405, https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-360-A1D (registry code 41504, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1A
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-360-A1D
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 2,850 total, 21 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR24LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA316) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240921020519A

## Narrative

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

THE INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT BEGAN AT SHAFTER MINTER FIELD, WHERE 18 LANDINGS WERE COMPLETED. THE FLIGHT THEN PROCEEDED SOUTH TO PRIVATE PROPERTY, WHERE ONE LANDING WAS DEMONSTRATED BEFORE ALLOWING THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION (PUI) TO ATTEMPT TO COMPLETE A LANDING. THE TOUCHDOWN OF THAT LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON THE CENTER PORTION OF A DIRT ROAD, BUT WHEN THE PUI ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, WITH THE POWER IDLE AND THE STICK BACK, THE PLANE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. LEFT RUDDER WAS APPLIED BY THE PUI, BUT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS WERE INSUFFICIENT TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO PULL RIGHT. THE INSTRUCTOR THEN APPLIED FULL LEFT RUDDER AND BRAKE, BUT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED UNRESPONSIVE TO THE APPLIED LEFT RUDDER AND BRAKE. THE AIRCRAFT PROCEEDED TO DRIFT INTO A DIRT MOUND, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. BOTH OCCUPANTS OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE UNINJURED DURING

THIS INCIDENT. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT BRAKING SYSTEM PERFORMED BY NTSB DESGNATED INSPECTION PERSONNEL AT THE SALVAGE FACILITY REVEALED NO DEFECTS WHICH WOULD HAVE PREVENTED BRAKE OPERATION.

## 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 WPR24LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA316), Sep 22, 2024: Aviat A-1A (N56TA), Taft, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during landing roll and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

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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