# NTSB CEN13CA136: Aviat A-1C-180, N7ZR, Upper Sandusky, OH, January 15, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 15, 2013, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Upper Sandusky, OH - Coordinates: 40.883335, -83.314445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8833&lon=-83.3144&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 86033 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86033/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86033 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; 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. - [Landing-landing roll: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: 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 reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 36. While on his third approach after making two landings, he noticed that the windsock was now favoring runway 18 and that the wind was gusting. He performed a go-around and made an approach to runway 18. After a conventional (tailwheel) landing, the airplane’s left wing started to rise and the tail swung to the right. The pilot applied left rudder, but the tail continued to the right. The right main gear buckled and the right wing struck the runway. The wing was crushed from the strut to the tip. The pilot did not report any preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot's accident report, he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 36. After making two landings and while on his third approach, he noticed that the wind sock had changed and was now favoring runway 18. He performed a go-around and made an approach to runway 18. The pilot said the wind was gusty and after making a conventional (tail wheel) landing, the left wing started to rise and the tail swung to the right. The pilot applied left rudder, but the tail continued to the right. The right main gear buckled and the right wing struck the runway. The wing was crushed from the strut to the tip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7ZR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7ZR), registered now, S/N 3040, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT A-1C-180 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-180) (registry code 2210410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-30-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-30-a1p) (registry code 41600, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3040 - Airframe hours: 227 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Samuel A. Ballow - Registered owner: Elkhorn Farms and Hatchery, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 2012, 8 hours before - Departed: K17G, Bucyrus, OH - Destination: K56D, Upper Sandusky, OH - Airport: K56D, Wyandot County Airport, runway 18, 3,997 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 568 total, 19 in this make and model, 483 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KFDY, 17 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 20130115000089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130115000089A), Jan 15, 2013: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Upper Sandusky, OH, Substantial damage. During the landing rollout, the pilot experienced a gust of wind that initiated a ground loop event that the pilot could not recover from. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86033. 4.0 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385647&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.