# NTSB CHI03LA091: Aviat A-1, N96033, Cahokia, IL, March 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 8, 2003, 10:17 local (16:17 UTC) - Place: Cahokia, IL - Coordinates: 38.573333, -90.160278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5733&lon=-90.1603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA St. Louis, MO FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56710/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA091 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane which resulted in a ground loop. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The airplane experienced a landing gear collapse following a loss of directional control while landing on runway 12R at the St. Louis Downtown Airport, Cahokia, Illinois. The pilot reported the wind shifted during the landing and the airplane swerved on the runway. He stated he added a little power to straighten out the airplane, but he "ran out" of aileron authority. The airplane continued off the runway where the landing gear collapsed. The local winds reported at CPS, at 0853, were 180 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. At 0953, the winds were 180 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 18 knots, and at 1053, the winds were from 200 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the airplane is 15 miles per hour. ## Factual narrative On March 8, 2003, at 1017 central standard time, an Aviat, A-1 Husky, N96033, experienced a landing gear collapse following a loss of directional control while landing on runway 12R (6,997 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS), Cahokia, Illinois. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Creve Coeur, Missouri, at 0945. The pilot reported the wind shifted during the landing and the airplane swerved on the runway. He stated he added a little power to straighten out the airplane, but he "ran out" of aileron authority. The airplane continued off the runway where the landing gear collapsed. The local winds reported at CPS, at 0853, were 180 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. At 0953, the winds were 180 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 18 knots, and at 1053, the winds were from 200 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. According to the Aviat, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the A-1 Husky is 15 miles per hour. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96033](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96033), registered now, S/N 1127, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A-1 - Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (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: 1127 - Airframe hours: 630 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John B. Brnjac - Registered owner: TBF Group LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 2002, 50 hours before - Departed: 1HO, Creve Coeur, MO - Destination: CPS, Cahokia, IL - Airport: CPS, St. Louis Downtown Airport, runway 12R, 6,997 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 22, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 222 total, 47 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: CPS ## 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 20030308005379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030308005379A), Mar 8, 2003: Chris A1, Cahokia, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing on runway 12R, the pilot lost control of the airplane after initial touchdown. The aircraft departed the runway to the right after… 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.