# NTSB CEN24LA300: Aviat A-1C-180, N177DB, South Park, IN, August 3, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 3, 2024, 13:04 local (17:04 UTC) - Place: South Park, IN - Coordinates: 41.3985, -85.6974 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3985&lon=-85.6974&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194843 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA300 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194843/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194843 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA300 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff. ## 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: [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) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a takeoff in an amphibious, float-equipped airplane. During the takeoff the pilot lost control, the airplane pitched forward, the floats dug into the water, and the airplane became airborne. The airplane rolled to the left, the left wing tip struck the water and subsequently nosed over. During the accident sequence the right wing, right aileron, and left wing strut were substantially damaged. When asked by the responding officer what he thought the cause of the accident was, he stated that it was a result of being a little high and slow on his approach, and the airplane hit the water hard, causing damage to the plane. The pilot later reported that there was a mechanical failure of the left float which was the result of a hard landing on asphalt five weeks before the accident. The pilot did not have any documentation of damage from the hard landing. He later stated that the takeoff did not feel right and that the entire flight he had to correct for the left wing dropping. The pilot stated to the responding officer that he did not examine all the components of the airplane before taking off. After reviewing video footage of the accident, it is unlikely that there were any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N177DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177DB-2025-09-08), registration cancelled 2025-09-08, S/N 3019, built 2008 (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: 3019 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 466 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2023 - Departed: ANQ, Angola, IN - Destination: K01D, Syracuse, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 27, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 500 total, 75 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Icing: Unknown - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KASW, 10 nm away - METAR: KASW 031655Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 28/20 A2996 RMK AO2 ## 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 20240803014869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240803014869A), Aug 3, 2024: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Syracuse, IN, Substantial damage. The private pilot stated that he began his flight from angola, Indiana for a flight to lake wawasee in Indiana. The pilot reported that during a landing about… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194843. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17716355&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20CEN24LA300_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 865 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17722135&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN24LA300-Rel.pdf - Video file (item 3, MOV, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17717150&FileExtension=mov&FileName=Video-Rel.mov - Mor idnr law enforcement incident report (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17722424&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20INDNR%20Incident%20Report%20CEN24LA300-Rel.pdf - Alcohol reading (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17719852&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01-24-02727%20Robert%20Magley%20Certified%20Test%20-%20Serial%20Number%20011037_Redacted-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.