# NTSB ERA12CA370: Smith Allen Storch, N126SR, Titusville, FL, May 25, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2012, 12:18 local (16:18 UTC) - Place: Titusville, FL - Coordinates: 28.620277, -80.834442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6203&lon=-80.8344&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 September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83790 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA370 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83790/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83790 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA370 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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: [Smith Allen STORCH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05622D8), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Smith Allen STORCH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05622D8), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Smith Allen STORCH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622D8), [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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Smith Allen STORCH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05622D8), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Smith Allen STORCH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05622D8), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was performing the sixth or seventh touch-and-go landing of the day. The windsock indicated a slight crosswind from the left just before touchdown, but, upon landing, a "very strong gust from the right" lifted the wing and pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot responded with adjustments in engine power, rudder, and aileron, but he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane dragged a wing, ground looped, and the landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. After the accident, the pilot reported that there were no deficiencies in the performance and handling of his airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was performing the 6th or 7th touch-and-go landing of the day. The windsock indicated a slight crosswind from the left just prior to touchdown, but upon landing, a "very strong gust from the right" lifted the wing and pushed the airplane to the left. The pilot responded with adjustments in engine power, rudder, and aileron, but he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane dragged a wing, ground looped, and the landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. After the accident, the pilot reported that there were no deficiencies in the performance and handling of his airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N126SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N126SR-2018-02-08), registration cancelled 2018-02-08, S/N 125SR, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SMITH ALLEN STORCH - Registry model: [Smith Allen STORCH](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-allen-storch) (registry code 05622D8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Mattituck IO-360](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mattituck-io-360) (registry code 59603, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 125SR - Airframe hours: 63 - Engines: MATTITUCK IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 3, 2012 - Departed: X21, Titusville, FL - Destination: X21, Titusville, FL - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: X21, Arthur Dunn Air Park, runway 04, 1,805 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 15 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 15 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KTIX, 7 nm away ## 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 20120525008269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120525008269A), May 25, 2012: Smith Allen STORCH, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot was performing a touch and go on runway 4U. The pilot checked the wind sock and observed it to show a slight crosswind form the left. The pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83790. 1.1 MB in all. - Memormadum for Record - 6120 (item 1, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371885&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memormadum%20for%20Record%20-%206120-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369113&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Titusville (TIX) Meteorological Observations (item 3, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Titusville%20(TIX)%20Meteorological%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Overview of Wreckage (FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 812 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371882&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(FAA)-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.