# NTSB DFW08CA054: Micco MAC-145B, N579RM, Arcola, TX, January 1, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 1, 2008, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Arcola, TX
- Coordinates: 29.506111, -95.476669
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5061&lon=-95.4767&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA054

## Probable cause

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

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Estumkeda Ltd DBA Micco Acft MAC-145B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5660002), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Estumkeda Ltd DBA Micco Acft MAC-145B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5660002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Estumkeda Ltd DBA Micco Acft MAC-145B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5660002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Estumkeda Ltd DBA Micco Acft MAC-145B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5660002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot was conducting a touch-and-go in a tailwheel-equipped airplane with a direct crosswind component of 15 knots gusting up to 20 knots from the left side of the airplane.  During landing, the crosswinds began pushing the airplane to the right side of the runway.  While correcting back to centerline the pilot reported that a combination of over-correction and gusty crosswinds caused a loss of control.  The airplane ground looped, departed the left side of the runway, and came to rest upright with the nose of the aircraft pointed approximately 180 degree from runway heading.  Damage was sustained to the wing spar.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot was conducting a touch-and-go in a tailwheel equipped airplane with a direct crosswind component of 15 knots gusting up to 20 knots from the left side of the airplane.  During landing, the crosswinds began pushing the airplane to the right side of the runway.  While correcting back to centerline the pilot reported that a combination of over-correction and gusty crosswinds caused a loss of control.  The airplane ground looped, departed the left side of the runway, and came to rest upright with the nose of the aircraft pointed approximately 180 degree from runway heading.  Damage was sustained to the wing spar.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N579RM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N579RM), registered now, S/N 260004, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Micco Aircraft Company MAC-145B
- Registry model: [Estumkeda Ltd DBA Micco Acft MAC-145B](https://openairdocs.org/model/estumkeda-ltd-dba-micco-acft-mac-145b) (registry code 5660002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 260004
- Airframe hours: 516
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2007
- Departed: T20, GONZALES, TX
- Destination: AXH, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: AXH, Houston-Southwest, runway 090, 5,003 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 260 in this make and model, 870 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.62 inHg
- Observed at: SGR

## 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 20080101857909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080101857909A), Jan 1, 2008: Estumk MAC145B, Arcola, TX, Substantial damage. At approximately 1600 CST on January 1, 2008, pilot lost control of aircraft during a 15-20 knot crosswind landing on runway 9 at houston southwest airport…

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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