# NTSB CEN09CA251: Aviat A-1B, N84DT, Great Bend, KS, April 15, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 15, 2009, 14:41 local (19:41 UTC) - Place: Great Bend, KS - Coordinates: 38.612777, -98.684448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6128&lon=-98.6844&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 73661 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73661/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA251 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2210406), [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 · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis To avoid taking off from a wet field, the pilot said he elected to takeoff to the southwest on Kansas Highway 156 at its intersection with U.S. Highway 56. Just as the wheels lifted off, a "strong wind gust raised the left wing." This turned (groundlooped) the airplane to the right (west) and it struck a dirt embankment and a chain link fence. Both wings and the forward portion of the fuseage were buckled. ## Factual narrative To avoid taking off from a wet field, the pilot said that he elected to take off to the southwest on Kansas Highway 156 at its intersection with U.S. Highway 56. Just as the wheels lifted off, a "strong wind gust raised the left wing." This turned (groundlooped) the airplane to the right (west) and it struck a dirt embankment and a chain link fence. Both wings and the forward portion of the fuseage were buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84DT-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 2348, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT A-1B - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1p) (registry code 42259, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2384 - Airframe hours: 122 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenneth C. Noonan, doing business as Doonan Truck & Equipment - Registered owner: N84dt LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2008, 63 hours before - Departed: Great Bend, KS - Destination: 1K1, Benton, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 5,608 total, 119 in this make and model, 5,608 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 27 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GBD, 8 nm away 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.