# NTSB CEN09CA179: Aviat A-1C, N75WY, Denver, CO, February 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 25, 2009, 16:31 local (23:31 UTC) - Place: Denver, CO - Coordinates: 39.568611, -104.842781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5686&lon=-104.8428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73408/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control during taxi. A contributing factor was the gusty winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was cleared by tower to take runway 17 for takeoff, " when a gust of wind picked up the left wing" and rotated the aircraft approximately 45 degrees to the right. The right wing made contact with the runway. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position with the nose on the runway. Substantial damage was confined to the firewall and damage to the right main landing gear, and propeller. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Weather reportedd at the departure airport 10 minutes after the accident indicated winds from 160 degrees at 21 knots with gusts to 30 knots. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was cleared by tower to take runway 17 for takeoff when a gust of wind picked up the left wing and rotated the aircraft approximately 45 degrees to the right. The right wing made contact with the runway and the propeller contacted the runway. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position with the nose on the runway. Substantial damage was confirmed to the firewall and damage to the right main landing gear, propeller and minor damage to the right wing tip. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Weather reportedd at the departure airport 10 minutes after the accident indicated winds from 160 degrees at 21 knots with gusts to 30 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75WY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75WY), registered now, S/N 3013, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-180) (registry code 2210410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1p) (registry code 42259, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3013 - Airframe hours: 113 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KAPA, Denver, CO - Destination: KAPA, Denver, CO - Airport: KAPA, Centenial Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 322 total, 52 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 21 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KAPA ## 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 20090225001469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090225001469A), Feb 25, 2009: Aviat A1C, Centennial, CO, Substantial damage. (-23)Husky N75WY was taxing onto runway 17L when wind lifted the left wing and cartwheeled the aircraft through grass and onto the runway. It came to rest with… 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.