# NTSB CEN14CA460: Aviat Husky, N776BC, Steamboat Springs, CO, August 1, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 1, 2014, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Steamboat Springs, CO - Coordinates: 40.485, -106.831665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4850&lon=-106.8317&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminisrtation - NTSB case key (mKey): 89963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA460 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89963/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89963 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA460 ## Probable cause The student rated pilot's inadvertent flight control input resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the right wing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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-1B, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [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) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the FAA Certificated flight instructor, he was instructing the student rated pilot on a mountain flying technique known as "popping the flaps" in order to aid in gaining altitude during short field takeoffs. He stated that shortly after rotation, the student reached down to pop the flaps and inadvertently leaned on the yoke, causing the airplane to descend, strike the ground and loop to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the FAA Certificated flight instructor, he was instructing the student rated pilot on a mountain flying technique known as "popping the flaps" in order to aid in gaining altitude during short field takeoffs. He stated that shortly after rotation, the student reached down to pop the flaps and inadvertently leaned on the yoke, causing the airplane to descend, strike the ground and loop to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N776BC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N776BC), registered now, S/N 2079, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC HUSKY (A1B) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2079 - Year built: 2000 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-CIG 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hoot Aero LLC - Registered owner: Hoot Aero LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SBS, STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - Destination: SBS, STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 17, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,895 total, 75 in this make and model - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 500 total, 58 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KSBS, 3 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 20140801014729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140801014729A), Aug 1, 2014: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B, Steamboat Sprin, CO, Substantial damage. On 08/01/2014 at approximately 1600 hrs. Mountain daylight time, (MDT) N776BC, an Aviat model A1-B husky aircraft was substantially damaged during take-off… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 31, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89963. 724 KB in all. - Memorandum for Record (FAA) (item 1, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (CFI) (item 2, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(CFI)-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (Student Rated Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440626&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(Student%20Rated%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (Email) (item 4, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440627&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(Email)-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1 photo, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.