# NTSB CEN09CA346: Meyers OTW, N34335, Haskell, TX, June 8, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 8, 2009, 18:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Haskell, TX
- Coordinates: 33.191387, -99.717781 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1914&lon=-99.7178&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 September 10, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73994/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73994
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA346

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Meyers OTW-145, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=5650206), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Meyers OTW-145, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5650206), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Meyers OTW-145, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5650206), [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.

- [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Meyers OTW-145, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5650206), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Meyers OTW-145, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5650206), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Meyers OTW-145, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5650206), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was flying a visual approach and landing when he felt a burst of wind, which pushed the tail to the left. The pilot compensated with left brake and left rudder, but did not prevent the airplane from exiting the runway. The pilot applied both brakes to slow the airplane and the airplane pulled to the right into a ditch, damaging the airplane frame near the firewall.

## Factual narrative

The pilot flew a visual approach and landing. During landing the pilot felt a burst of wind, which pushed the tail to the left. The pilot compensated with left brake and left rudder, but did not prevent the airplane from exiting the runway. The pilot applied both brakes to slow the airplane and the airplane pulled to the right into a ditch, damaging the airplane frame near the firewall.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34335](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34335), registered now, S/N 80, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MEYERS OTW (145)
- Registry model: [Meyers OTW-145](https://openairdocs.org/model/meyers-otw-145) (registry code 5650206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Warner SS40&50](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss40-50) (registry code 64503, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 80
- Engines: Warner 165D 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ashbach Richard P
- Registered owner: Ashbach Richard P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2009
- Departed: DUC, Duncan, OK
- Destination: BPG, Big Springs, TX
- Airport: 15F, Haskell Municipal Airport, runway 18, 3,420 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 12, 2008; seat: rear; flight hours: 800 total, 60 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: variable at 4 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: ABI, 47 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 20090608007849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090608007849A), Jun 8, 2009: Meyers OTW145, Haskell, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 08, 2009, at approximately 1355 CST, N34335, a Meyers OTW-145, ground looped and came to rest approximately 1700 feet on the east side of runway…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73994. 625 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.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.

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