# NTSB DEN00LA162: Aviat A-1, N63FE, Laramie, WY, September 3, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2000, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Laramie, WY - Coordinates: 41.310882, -105.579818 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3109&lon=-105.5798&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50177/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA162 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was his improper inflight decision in selecting a less-than-favorable runway on which to land that resulted in a ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land on runway 30. Recorded wind was 200 degrees at 14 knots. Directional control was lost and the airplane 'ground looped and tipped upside down.' According to Aviat Aircraft, Inc., the A-1's maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 15 mph (13 knots). Consulting the Crosswind Component Chart, it was determined that the pilot was confronted with an almost direct left crosswind (10 degree left quartering tailwind). Under these circumstances, there was a tailwind component of 2 knots and a crosswind component of 13 knots, less than the maximum crosswind component specified by the manufacturer. In addition to runways 12-30, the airport has a second, and longer, runway: 03-21. Landing on runway 21 would have presented a 10 degree left crosswind, and would have provided a 13 knot headwind component and a 2 knot crosswind component. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2000, approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, an Aviat A-1, N63FE, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while landing at Laramie Regional Airport, Laramie, Wyoming. The private pilot and sole occupant received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Jackson, Wyoming, approximately 0900. The pilot stated that he was attempting a landing on runway 30 with a left crosswind. Recorded wind was 200 degrees at 14 knots. The pilot said he lost control and the airplane "ground looped and tipped upside down." The airplane came to a rest in the center of the runway. According to Aviat Aircraft, Inc., the A-1's maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 15 mph (13 knots). Consulting the Crosswind Component Chart, it was determined that the pilot was attempting to land with an almost direct left crosswind (10 degree left quartering tailwind). These circumstances provided a tailwind component of 2 knots and a crosswind component of 13 knots, less than the maximum crosswind component specified by the manufacturer. In addition to runways 12-30, Laramie Regional Airport has a second, and longer, runway: 03-21. Landing on runway 21 would have presented a 10 degree left crosswind, and would have provided a 13 knot headwind component and a 2 knot crosswind component (see Crosswind Component Chart). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63FE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63FE), registered now, S/N 1225, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A-1 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1) (registry code 2210302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1225 - Airframe hours: 480 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard H. Skjerven - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2000, 30 hours before - Departed: JAC, JACKSON, WY - Destination: LAR - Airport: LAR, Laramie, runway 30, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 271 total, 239 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 14 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAR ## 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 20000903013299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000903013299A), Sep 3, 2000: Chris A1, Laramie, WY, No damage. (-23) Pilot lost directional control during crosswind landing. When brakes were applied, aircraft flipped over. 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.