# NTSB ERA09CA422: Dart GW, N20930, Warrenton, VA, July 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 25, 2009, 08:35 local (12:35 UTC) - Place: Warrenton, VA - Coordinates: 38.655555, -77.787223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6556&lon=-77.7872&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74374 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA422 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74374/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74374 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA422 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the wet turf landing surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dart GW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2700108), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: [Dart GW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2700108), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Dart GW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=2700108), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dart GW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2700108), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dart GW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2700108), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certificated private pilot performed a "normal" landing at 60 miles per hour and the tail-wheel-equipped airplane continued for approximately 600 to 700 feet on the 2,215 foot-long by 70-foot-wide turf runway, before it drifted to the right. The pilot was unable to correct the drift with left rudder and left brake before the airplane departed the runway, and struck trees at approximately "30 miles per hour." When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated he should have kept the control stick fully back during the landing roll, and that the wet grass condition significantly decreased surface friction available for braking and steering effectiveness. Calm winds were reported 5 nautical miles southeast of the airport. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative The certificated private pilot performed a "normal" landing at 60 miles per hour and the tail-wheel-equipped airplane continued for approximately 600 to 700 feet on the 2,215 foot-long by 70-foot-wide turf runway, before it drifted to the right. The pilot was unable to correct the drift with left rudder and left brake before the airplane departed the runway, and struck trees at approximately "30 miles per hour." When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated he should have kept the control stick fully back during the landing roll, and that the wet grass condition significantly decreased surface friction available for braking and steering effectiveness. Calm winds were reported 5 nautical miles southeast of the airport. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20930](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20930), registered now, S/N GK-34, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Dart GW - Registry model: [Dart GW](https://openairdocs.org/model/dart-gw) (registry code 2700108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: GK-38 - Airframe hours: 986 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-DTC #22 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Justin Currier - Registered owner: Ronald C. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2008 - Departed: HWY, Midland, VA - Destination: 7VG0, Warrenton, VA - Airport: 7VG0, Warrenton Air Park, runway 04, 2,215 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 131 total, 50 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: HWY, 5 nm away ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74374. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Aircraft. (item 3, .PDF, 502 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Aircraft.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Engine and to Area Near the Right Wing Attach Point to Fuselage. (item 4, .PDF, 450 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Engine%20and%20to%20Area%20Near%20the%20Right%20Wing%20Attach%20Point%20to%20Fuselage.-Master.PDF 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.