# NTSB CHI93LA007: Howard DGA-15P, N67433, Wichita, KS, October 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1992, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Wichita, KS
- Location: 37.6939° N, 97.2149° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BEECH FACTORY (BEC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6939&lon=-97.2149&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15604/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA007

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT, THE PILOT'S OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY, AND AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE DATA NOT FOLLOWED BY THE PILOT.

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - attempted, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CLASSIC TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE WAS PERFORMING A CROSSWIND LANDING.  THE WINDS THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED WERE APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 80 DEGREES TO THE LEFT OF THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE AND 23 TO 35 KNOTS IN VELOCITY. THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A TURN TO THE LEFT UPON LANDING WHICH COULD NOT BE STOPPED WITH RUDDER AND BRAKE.  THE PILOT SAID HE HAD PERFORMED MANY SUCCESSFUL CROSSWIND LANDINGS BEFORE, UNDER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO THAT WHICH HE HAD ENCOUNTERED ON THE ACCIDENT DATE.  THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME SHORTLY AFTER IT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT.  THE LEFT WING SHATTERED, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, WHEN IT CONTACTED THE GROUND.  ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE'S PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK, THE MAXIMUM 90 DEGREE CROSSWIND COMPONENT IS 12 MILES PER HOUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67433](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67433), registered now, S/N 563, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Howard Aircraft Corp. DGA-15P
- Registry model: [Howard DGA-15P](https://openairdocs.org/model/howard-dga-15p) (registry code 4690506) (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: 563
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clayton Graves
- Registered owner: Clayton Graves
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1992, 8 hours before
- Departed: MVI, MONTE' VISTA, CO
- Destination: BEC, WICHITA, KS
- Airport: BEC, Beech Factory Airport, runway 36, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 860 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 23 knots, gusting 39
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ICT, 10 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 19921008041389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921008041389A), Oct 8, 1992: Howard DGA15P, Wichita, KS, Substantial damage. Weathervaned into severed gusty crosswind on landing roll. Dragged wing collapsed gear. Exceeded wind component.

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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