# NTSB CHI98LA049: King Avid Flyer C, N931AC, Minneapolis, MN, November 26, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1997, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 44.670593, -93.240959 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6706&lon=-93.2410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10792/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA049

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.  A related factor was the crosswind.

## 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)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

On rollout after a landing the airplane ground looped.  The pilot said that he lost directional control due to the cross wind.  The airplane landed on runway 31R.  A weather observation taken at the airport 13 minutes after the accident indicated the wind to be from 250 degrees at 9 knots.

## Factual narrative

On November 26, 1997, at 1340 central standard time, an Avid Flyer C, N931AC, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a landing on runway 31R (3,263' X 75' dry/asphalt), at Crystal Airport, near Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The pilot said that the he encountered a cross wind and the airplane ground looped.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file for the flight which departed Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, about 1330.

The pilot told inspectors was that he lost directional control of his airplane when he encountered a cross wind during rollout after landing..

The airplane was landed on runway 31R at Crystal airport at 1340.  A weather observation taken at the same airport  13 minutes after the accident indicated the prevailing wind to be 250 degrees at 9 knots.

The pilot's total time in this airplane make and model was shown as 16 hours on his written statement.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N931AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N931AC-1998-12-09), registration cancelled 1998-12-09, S/N 931 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: King AVID FLYER C (AVID FLYER)
- Registry model: [King Dave AVID FLYER C](https://openairdocs.org/model/king-dave-avid-flyer-c) (registry code 056189Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 931
- Engines: Rotax 582-UL-48KW 66 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Stontz
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE, BROOKLYN PARK, MN
- Destination: MIC
- Airport: MIC, Crystal, runway 31R, 3,263 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 231 total, 16 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIC

## 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 19971126040699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971126040699A), Nov 26, 1997: Amtr AVIDFLYERC, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. Narrative: upon investigation, I found right main gear and right wing tip damaged. Interviewed pilot and he stated that he landed on the main gear and aircraft…

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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