# NTSB ATL04CA168: Christen Industries A1B, N367SA, Hickory, NC, August 20, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 20, 2004, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Hickory, NC - Coordinates: 35.729553, -81.319511 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7296&lon=-81.3195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Charlotte FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59997/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA168 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control, during landing roll which resulted in a loss of control and collision with a trailer. The crosswind was a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - vehicle ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was on a local flight when the engine started to run rough. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing. During the landing roll the pilot stated that the tail wheel became airborne and he lost directional control. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane rolled approximately 20 feet into the grass and collided with a trailer. The pilot stated that during landing roll he encountered wind gusts approximately 13 to 15 knots from approximately 230 degrees. However the 1153 Hickory Regional Airport weather observation facility reported the winds were 210 degrees at 10 knots, no gusts, and 6 statute miles visibility. Examination of the airplane at the wreckage site revealed the left landing gear was separated and the firewall was buckled. Examination of the wreckage at the wreckage site revealed no power plant or flight control problems. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2004, at 1200 eastern daylight time, a Christen Husky A1B, N367SA, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, veered off the runway and collided with a trailer during a landing at Wilson's Airport, Hickory, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. The personal flight departed Shelby, North Carolina on August 20, 2004 at 1145. According to the pilot, he was on a local flight at an altitude of 2500 feet when the engine started to run rough. The pilot elected to make a precautionary tail wheel landing on runway 17 at Wilson's Airport, Hickory, North Carolina. The airplane touched down within the first third of the runway threshold. During the landing roll the tail wheel became airborne and the pilot lost directional control. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane rolled approximately 20 feet into the grass and collided with a trailer. The airplane came to rest approximately 30 feet from the runway. The pilot stated that during landing roll he encountered wind gusts approximately 13 to 15 knots from approximately 230 degrees. However, the 1153 Hickory Regional Airport weather observation facility reported the winds were 210 degrees at 10 knots, no gusts, and 6 statute miles visibility. The Hickory weather reporting facility is located 5 nautical miles to the north of the accident. According to local forecast thunderstorms were moving into the area. Examination of the airplane at the wreckage site revealed the left landing gear was separated and the firewall was buckled. Examination of the wreckage at the wreckage site revealed no power plant or flight control problems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N367SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N367SA), registered now, S/N 2197, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Christen Industries A1B - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2197 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EHO, Shelby, NC - Destination: E40, Hickory, NC - Airport: E40, Wilson's Airport USA, runway 17 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 320 total, 320 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: HKY, 5 nm away ## 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 20040820021419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040820021419A), Aug 20, 2004: Aviat A1B, Hickory, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft veered off to the right of runway 17 due to gusting winds from 210 at 15 KTS and entangling with briars and tall grass. Aircraft veered to right… ## Other investigations on N367SA (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 ERA09CA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA008), Oct 4, 2008: Aviat A-1B (N367SA), Mooresville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare while landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience. 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.