# NTSB CHI07LA092: Socata TB-20 Trinidad, N900Y, Rhinelander, WI, March 19, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 2007, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Rhinelander, WI - Coordinates: 45.631111, -89.467224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6311&lon=-89.4672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65506 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65506/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07LA092 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during taxi. A contributing factor was the gusting winds and sign. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot landed and applied brakes when the right brake reportedly did not work. A "strong gust" of wind lifted the left wing and the airplane hit a runway sign. A mechanic at the airport stated he inspected the airplane damage and advised the pilot that the airplane was unsafe to fly. The leading edge of the outboard right wing was crushed inward and torn open. The brakes were not inspected, but the pilot then flew the airplane without repair to another airport where it landed without incident. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 2007, about 1345 central daylight time, a Socata TB-20 Trinidad, N900Y, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during taxi at Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (RHI) in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The private pilot was not injured. The flight departed Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in Wheeling, Illinois, about 1030 en route to RHI. The pilot landed on runway 27 (6,799 feet by 150 feet, concrete) and applied brakes when the right brake reportedly did not work. A "strong gust" of wind lifted the left wing and the airplane hit a runway sign. A mechanic at RHI reported the pilot asked him to examine the airplane damage following the impact with the runway sign. The mechanic stated he observed damage to the airplane's right wing tip. The mechanic reported that he told the pilot it would not be a good idea to fly the airplane because there could be damage at the wing attachment points. The mechanic stated that following his examination of the damage and advising the pilot that the damaged airplane would not be safe to fly, he observed the airplane take off from RHI. The right brake was not inspected, but the airplane was flown without repair to the Eagle River Union Airport, Eagle River, Wisconsin, where it landed without further incident. The damaged area consisted of the right wing being crushed inward and torn open up to the wing spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N900Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N900Y), registered now, S/N 627 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad - Registry model: [Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-20-trinidad) (registry code 8680695) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 627 - Airframe hours: 2177 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2006 - Departed: PWK, Wheeling, IL - Destination: RHI, Rhinelander, WI - Airport: RHI, Rhinelander-Oneida County, runway 27, 6,799 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 2,830 total, 2,350 in this make and model, 2,522 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: RHI ## 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 20070319832259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070319832259A), Mar 19, 2007: Socata TB20TRINIDAD, Rhinelander, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) While taxiing aircraft to ramp attempted to make a left turn. Pilot stated right brake was weak. Pilot stated gust of wind caused loss of control and… 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.