# NTSB DEN79FTE83: Smith Mini DSA1, N15JH, East Fruita, CO, September 29, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 29, 1979
- Place: East Fruita, CO · EAST FRUITA, CO
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 26, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN79FTE83
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FTE83

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3277  79/9/29  NR.EAST FRUITA,CO     SMITH MINI DSA1     CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 40, 69 TOTAL
        TIME - 1645                    N15JH               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 1 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - COLE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         EAST FRUITA,CO               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        REMARKS- FIRST FLT IN TAIL WHEEL ACFT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15JH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SMITH MINI DSA1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Cole

## 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 19790929025119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790929025119A), Sep 29, 1979: Amtrsm DSA1, Fruita, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot had just purchased aircraft. Never flew a tailwheel aircraft before. Ground looped.

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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