# NTSB ERA11CA410: Sky International A-1C-180, N52LK, Fryeburg, ME, July 20, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2011, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Fryeburg, ME - Coordinates: 43.991111, -70.947776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9911&lon=-70.9478&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: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81166 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA410 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81166/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81166 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA410 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Aviat A-1C-180, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he received a preflight weather briefing about 1 1/2 hours before departure, and the wind at his destination was reported to be calm or from the south at 8 to 10 knots. He departed and proceeded to his destination, where he reported that the windsock at the airport indicated a variable crosswind. He performed an approach to runway 14 and sensed a tailwind component, so he performed a go-around. He remained in the traffic pattern and selected runway 32. During the touchdown, the left wing raised and the airplane began to ground loop. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and came to rest upright, sustaining substantial damage to the propeller, right landing gear, and right wing. The reported wind 54 minutes after the accident was variable from 190 to 250 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 16 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he received a preflight weather briefing about 1.5 hours before departure, and the wind in the destination area was reported to be calm or from the south at 8 to 10 knots. He departed and proceeded to the destination airport, where he reported the windsock indicated a cross wind “…with variability.” He initiated an approach to runway 14 which seemed to have a tailwind component so he performed a go-around. He remained in the traffic pattern and initiated approach to runway 32. While on final approach he believed he had enough rudder but reported there must have been a gust. During landing the left wing raised and a ground loop began. The airplane veered to the right off the runway and came to rest upright. A surface weather observation taken at the accident airport approximately 54 minutes after the accident indicates the wind was variable from 190 to 250 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52LK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52LK), registered now, S/N 3086, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sky International, Inc. A-1C-180 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-180) (registry code 2210410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1p) (registry code 42259, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3086 - Airframe hours: 97 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Laurence D. Ketner - Registered owner: Laurence D. Ketner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2011 - Departed: LEW, Auburn, ME - Destination: IZG, Fryeburg, ME - Airport: IZG, Eastern Slopes Regional Airpor, runway 32, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 2, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 1,097 total, 68 in this make and model, 1,022 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 8 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: IZG ## 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 20110720014799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110720014799A), Jul 20, 2011: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Fryeburg, ME, Substantial damage. N52LK made a go around on rwy 14 at Fryeburg me (izg) do to what felt like a tail wind. Landed on rwy 32. On rollout the aircraft "ground looped" to the right… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81166. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 349 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359827&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. Right Front Quartering View of the Airplane. (item 4, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20Right%20Front%20Quartering%20View%20of%20the%20Airplane.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing the Damage to the Right Wing. (item 5, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359763&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20the%20Damage%20to%20the%20Right%20Wing.-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.