# NTSB ANC11CA011: Miller Gregory Scott GOT Rocks, N9015U, Anchorage, AK, January 29, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 29, 2011, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.516666, -150.733337 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5167&lon=-150.7333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Operations) - NTSB case key (mKey): 78256 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78256/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78256 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area with an unfavorable wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller Gregory Scott GOT ROCKS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05627KK), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Miller Gregory Scott GOT ROCKS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=05627KK), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Miller Gregory Scott GOT ROCKS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md?model=05627KK), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Miller Gregory Scott GOT ROCKS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=05627KK), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Miller Gregory Scott GOT ROCKS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05627KK), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that he was attempting a touch-and-go landing in a ski-equipped airplane on a snow-covered mountaintop site, which was surrounded by higher mountains. Before beginning his approach to the site, he determined the wind conditions, and then planned an easterly approach into a 10-mph headwind. After landing, he turned the airplane to the north in preparation for takeoff and, as it passed out of a wind-protected area, a strong southerly wind lifted the airplane's tail. The pilot was unable to control the airplane in the strong wind and it nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot said he was attempting a touch-and-go landing in a ski-equipped airplane on a snow-covered mountaintop site, which was surrounded by higher mountains. Before beginning his approach to the site, he determined the wind conditions, and then planned an easterly approach into a 10 mph headwind. After landing, he turned the airplane to the north in preparation for takeoff, and as it passed out of a wind-protected area, a strong southerly wind lifted the airplane's tail. The pilot was unable to control the airplane in the strong wind, and it nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9015U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9015U), registered now, S/N 1, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MILLER GREGORY SCOTT GOT ROCKS - Registry model: [Miller Gregory Scott GOT ROCKS](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-gregory-scott-got-rocks) (registry code 05627KK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c1a) (registry code 42280, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Airframe hours: 386 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Henry Swan - Registered owner: John Henry Swan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 2010, 21 hours before - Departed: Anchorage, AK - Destination: Anchorage, AK - Airport: runway 33 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 1,259 total, 879 in this make and model, 1,259 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 46 knots, gusting 57 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110129001479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110129001479A), Jan 29, 2011: Miller Greg GOT ROCKS, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Airman made a off airport landing on mount susitna. Landing was made on ski's in snow conditions. During the departure roll aircraft flipped over on its back. ## Other investigations on N9015U (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 ANC20CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA078), Aug 5, 2020: Greg Miller GOT Rocks (N9015U), Minchumina, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an impact with a large hole and a nose-over. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78256. 599 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.