# NTSB CHI04CA289: Arganbright Vans RV-4, N968MA, Custer, SD, September 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 29, 2004, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Custer, SD - Coordinates: 43.733333, -103.617774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7333&lon=-103.6178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 60410 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60410/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA289 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors were the sudden wind shift and the embankment. ## 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 - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was damaged when it departed the runway and struck an embankment during landing. The pilot stated that he was landing to the west and during the landing roll, the airplane suddenly veered to the right. He stated that he attempted to correct with rudder and brakes but was unable to keep the airplane from exiting the runway surface. The airplane subsequently struck an embankment. In his statement, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with regard to the airplane. He also stated that he suspected that the winds from the canyon adjacent to the airport caused a wind shift at the point where the loss of control occurred. The reported winds were from 290 degrees at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 2004, about 1230 mountain daylight time, an amateur-built Arganbright Van's RV-4, N968MA, sustained substantial damage when it went off the right side of runway 26 (5,500 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) at the Custer County Airport, Custer, South Dakota. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. There were no injuries. The flight originated from Yankton, South Dakota about 1115. The pilot submitted a written report of the accident. He stated that he was landing to the west and during the landing roll, the airplane suddenly veered to the right. He stated that he attempted to correct with rudder and brakes but was unable to keep the airplane from exiting the runway surface. The airplane subsequently struck an embankment. In his statement, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with regard to the airplane. He also stated that he suspected that the winds from the canyon adjacent to the airport caused a wind shift at the point where the loss of control occurred. The reported winds were from 290 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N968MA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N968MA), registered now, S/N 3964, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Arganbright Vans RV-4 - Registry model: [Arganbright Michael J VANS RV-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/arganbright-michael-j-vans-rv-4) (registry code 056120V) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3964 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Arganbright - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: YKN, YANKTON, SD - Destination: CUT, Custer, SD - Airport: CUT, Custer County, runway 26 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,017 total, 160 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots ## 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 20040929027349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040929027349A), Sep 29, 2004: Amtr RV4, Custer, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) Upon landing at cut, runway 26, pilot applied the brakes. Right brake was fully applied, left brake to a lesser degree. Aircraft skidded off the right… 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.