# NTSB CEN12LA129: Aviat A-1C-180, N11HY, Chetek, WI, January 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 6, 2012, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Chetek, WI - Coordinates: 45.306388, -91.636665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3064&lon=-91.6367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82661 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82661/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82661 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA129 ## Probable cause The passenger’s interference with the flight controls, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to climb after an aborted landing. Contributing was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll, which resulted in the need to abort the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: 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) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was returning from a local flight with a passenger seated in the rear seat of the airplane. The pilot stated that during the landing roll, the airplane drifted toward the right edge of the runway due to a strong wind gust from the left. The pilot aborted the landing, and during the climb, without his input, the control stick moved to the right and rearward, and the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot said that he had advised the passenger to remain clear of the control stick. However, it is likely that the passenger did move the control stick during the attempted climb. The pilot's postaccident recommendation was that passengers should be briefed and reminded to keep their feet and legs clear of the control stick. The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On January 6, 2012, about 1215 central standard time, an Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, N11HY, impacted terrain during an aborted landing on runway 35 (3,401 feet by 60 feet, dry asphalt), Chetek Municipal-Southworth Airport (Y23), Chetek, Wisconsin. The certificated private pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and firewall. The airplane was registered to Aerosource LLC and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight that originated from Y23 at 1115. The pilot stated that he briefed his grandson to keep clear of the control stick. They then departed on a local flight with his grandson seated in the rear seat. They returned to the departure airport where the pilot aborted the landing due to a gust of wind that pushed the airplane toward the right side of the runway. After liftoff from the aborted landing, the control stick moved uncommanded to the right and aft about 100 feet above ground level. The pilot was unable to move the control stick. The airplane entered a "hard" right descending turn and then impacted the ground. The pilot stated the control stick is "quite large," and the rear seat is not adjustable. The pilot's recommendation was that passengers should be briefed and reminded to keep their feet and legs clear of the control stick. He also stated that the control stick be removed when small children and new passengers are aboard. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11HY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11HY), registered now, S/N 3135, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180 - 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: 114-B - Airframe hours: 24 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-AIP 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Aerosource LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: Y23, Chetek, WI - Destination: Y23, Chetek, WI - Airport: Y23, Chetek Municipal-Southworth Ai, runway 35, 3,401 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 974 total, 15 in this make and model, 906 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: RPD, 10 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 20120106000099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120106000099A), Jan 6, 2012: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Chetek, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft started to veer off runway during landing with cross wind. Pilot attempted to do an aborted landing and go around lost control and impacted into the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82661. 682 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records - RPD AWOS (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374337&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20-%20RPD%20AWOS-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. --- 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.