# NTSB CEN21LA451: Christen Industries A-1, N2923W, Eden Prairie, MN, September 23, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 23, 2021, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Eden Prairie, MN - Coordinates: 44.8275, -93.458583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8275&lon=-93.4586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103957 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA451 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103957/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103957 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA451 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Christen Industries A-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=221020X), [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. - [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported he had landed at his destination airport in his tailwheel-equipped airplane and was turning off the runway onto the taxiway when the airplane’s right wing dipped and struck the runway. The airplane subsequently ground looped, nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also reported that the degree and speed of the turn resulted in the wing striking the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2923W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2923W-2025-09-13), registration cancelled 2025-09-13, S/N 1035, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES INC A-1 - Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C1G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c1g) (registry code 42284, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1035 - Year built: 1988 - Airframe hours: 7350 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clayton R Shepard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 2021 - Departed: MIC, Crystal, MN - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FCM, Flying Cloud Airport, runway 28R, 3,900 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 23, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 670 total, 12 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: KFCM, 1 nm away - METAR: KFCM 181453Z VRB05KT 10SM CLR 13/05 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP157 T01330050 51003 ## 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 20210923017489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210923017489A), Sep 23, 2021: Christen Industries Inc A-1, Eden Prairie, MN, Substantial damage. 2021-09-23 N2923W Christen Industries Inc A-1, flipped upside down during landing at kfcm. During landing on runway 28R at kfcm with left crosswind aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 16, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103957. 2.4 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN21LA451 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12820957&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN21LA451_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN21LA451 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 889 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12819871&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN21LA451-Rel.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.