# NTSB CHI89LA088: Avions Max Holste MH 1521, N163MH, Big Rapids, MI, May 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1989, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Big Rapids, MI
- Coordinates: 43.699127, -85.479133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6991&lon=-85.4791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA088

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE THE VARIABLE/GUSTY/CROSSWIND CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - 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 - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND THAT BLEW THE TAIL TO THE LEFT. HE TRIED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION BY APPLYING LEFT BRAKE, BUT THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR & LEFT WING WERE DAMAGED. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WIND DIRECTION WAS 'UNSTEADY.'  ABOUT 90 MILES SOUTHWEST AT MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN, THE 1250 EDT WIND WAS FROM 270 DEG AT 8 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N163MH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N163MH-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 163 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIONS MAX HOLSTE MH 1521
- Registry model: [Avions Max Holste MH 1521 BROUSSARD](https://openairdocs.org/model/avions-max-holste-mh-1521-broussard) (registry code 0911010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 163MH
- Airframe hours: 3089
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack Helder, doing business as West Drenthe, Inc.
- Registered owner: West Drenthe, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1988, 65 hours before
- Departed: 6MI3, ZEELAND, MI
- Airport: 77D, Roben-Hood, runway 32, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 497 total, 39 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 90 nm away

## 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 19890514011509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890514011509A), May 14, 1989: Brosrd MH1521M, Big Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. Gust blew tail to left on landing roll. Hit left brake. Aircraft ground looped, bent left wing and blew a tire.

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.

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