# NTSB DEN06CA078: Aviat A-1A, N153C, Englewood, CO, May 15, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 14, 2006, 22:30 local (May 15, 2006, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.570278, -104.849441
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5703&lon=-104.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Denver, Colorado
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA078

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while taxiing from landing, resulting in a collision with a refuse dumpster.  A contributing factor was his physical impairment by alcohol.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command
  - object - other
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot took off on the wrong runway.  After flying around the airport for about 30 minutes, he was given clearance to land.  He landed on the wrong runway.  Tower personnel noticed the airplane making "doughnuts" (taxiing in circles).  Sheriff's deputies found the pilot was found wandering around the tarmac.  They said he appeared to be intoxicated.  He was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.  A sheriff's deputy who interviewed the pilot said his eyes were "red, watery, and bloodshot."  He also detected a "strong odor of alcohol on his breath."  The pilot said he did not start drinking until after he had landed.  Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage.  The pilot said it was dark when he landed, and he was "taxiing too fast, over controlling, and not watching where he was going."  Outside and near the hangar, a displaced refuse dumpster bore scratches and paint transfer marks similar in color as that of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was given takeoff clearance at 2219 and took off on runway 17L.  He flew around the airport for a short period of time, then he contacted the control tower for landing clearance, advising that he was east of the airport (he was actually west of the airport).  He was cleared to land on runway 17L at 2240.  He landed on runway 35R.  As the pilot taxied along the ramp, tower personnel noticed him doing "doughnuts" (taxiing in circles).  Sheriff's deputies, accompanied by the airport operations supervisor, found the pilot wandering around the tarmac. He appeared to be intoxicated.  He was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.  A deputy who interviewed the pilot said his eyes were "red, watery, and bloodshot."  He also detected a "strong odor of alcohol on his breath."  The pilot told the deputy he did not start drinking until after he had landed.  Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing struts were bent back with scratch marks consistent with impact.  The wing angled down from the fuselage at about 15 degrees, consistent with a broken spar at the wing root.  Other damage included torn fabric on the right wing and punctures in both wing fabrics."  The pilot said it was dark when he landed, and he was "taxiing too fast, over controlling, and not watching where he was going."  Outside and near the hangar, a displaced refuse dumpster bore scratches and paint transfer marks similar in color as that of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N153C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N153C), registered now, S/N 1415, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aviat A-1A
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1a) (registry code 2210405) (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: 00000
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Husky Air LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: APA, Englewood, CO
- Destination: APA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 100 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observed at: APA

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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