# NTSB DEN01LA097: 1977 Colfer-Chan Steen Skybolt, N111HC, Gallup, NM, May 12, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 2001, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Gallup, NM - Coordinates: 35.520835, -108.729568 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5208&lon=-108.7296&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52251 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52251/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA097 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. Contributing factors were gusting crosswinds and the pilots's lack of experience in aircraft make and model. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis During landing roll, a right crosswind of 8 knots with gusts to 15 knots was encountered. The biplane departed the side of the runway into sandy terrain and encountered a ditch. The left wings were folded aft. The pilot had 10 hours experience in the aircraft make and model, all of which was accomplished in the 90 day period preceding the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 2001, at 1030 mountain daylight time, a 1977 Colfer-Chan Steen Skybolt airplane, N111HC, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during landing roll when it departed the side of the runway into a ditch at Gallup Municipal Airport, Gallup, New Mexico. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local personal flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Gallup at 0800. According to the pilot, he experienced a "dust devil" during the landing roll on runway 06 which pulled the aircraft off the runway into sandy terrain and encountered a ditch. The left wings of the biplane were folded aft. The recorded wind at the airport at 1053 was from 140 degrees at 9 knots with gusts to 17 knots, which resulted in an 80 degree right crosswind of 8 knots with gusts to 15 knots for the landing on runway 06. The pilot had 10 hours experience in the accident aircraft make and model, all of which was accomplished in the 90 day period preceding the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N111HC (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: 1977 COLFER-CHAN STEEN SKYBOLT - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: C-1-1977 - Airframe hours: 406 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David W. Haase - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2001, 9 hours before - Departed: GUP, GALLUP, NM - Airport: GUP, Gallup, runway 6, 7,312 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 18, 1999; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,400 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: GUP, 1 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 20010512011029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010512011029A), May 12, 2001: Amtr STEENSKYBOLT, Gallup, NM, No damage. (.19)On may 12, at 1035 mountain daylight time, a 1977 colfer-chan steen skybolt airplane, N111HC, sustained substantial damage during landing roll when it… 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.