# NTSB ANC25LA015: Gippsaero PTY GA8, N916RK, Nightmute, AK, January 4, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 3, 2025, 17:51 local (Jan 4, 2025, 02:51 UTC) - Place: Nightmute, AK - Coordinates: 60.472312, -164.6998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4723&lon=-164.6998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199505 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199505/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199505 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA015 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control while taxiing in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Gippsaero PTY GA8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3900110), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Gippsaero PTY GA8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3900110), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Gippsaero PTY GA8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=3900110), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gippsaero PTY GA8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3900110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Gippsaero PTY GA8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3900110), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Gippsaero PTY GA8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=3900110), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while taxiing from the runway to the ramp after landing in gusting wind conditions, he was hit by a strong gust of wind and lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane exited the taxiway surface and came to rest on its left main wheel and nose. The airplane was then hit by a second gust of wind and nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N916RK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N916RK), registered now, S/N GA8-12-176, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GIPPSAERO PTY LTD GA8 - Registry model: [Gippsaero PTY GA8](https://openairdocs.org/model/gippsaero-pty-ga8) (registry code 3900110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41585, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: GA8-12-176 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 7120.5 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Grant Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: AAIP, December 27, 2024, 23 hours before - Departed: EWU, Mertarvik, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: IGT, Nightmute AIrport, runway 3, 3,200 × 75 ft, gravel - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2024; seat: left; flight hours: 1,658 total, 454 in this make and model, 1,543 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 19 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -9 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: PABE, 87 nm away - METAR: PABE 040153Z 02019G25KT 10SM CLR M18/M23 A2979 RMK AO2 PK WND 02027/0136 SLP092 T11831228 ## 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 20250103000029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250103000029A), Jan 3, 2025: Gippsaero Pty Ltd GA8, Nightmute, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was landing at Nightmute runway 03 on final the winds were 24-27 knots right down the runway. He landed with no problem. He taxied to the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 12, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199505. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18255924&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA015%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18256619&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA015%20Photos-Rel.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.