# NTSB ERA12CA384: Thomas Scott EAA Biplane Model P, N222WZ, Waynesburg, PA, June 5, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 5, 2012, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Waynesburg, PA
- Coordinates: 39.901111, -80.130554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9011&lon=-80.1306&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 Allegheny FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA384
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83873/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83873
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA384

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

## 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 · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Thomas Scott EAA BIPLANE MODEL P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=3360366), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas Scott EAA BIPLANE MODEL P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=3360366), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/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: [Thomas Scott EAA BIPLANE MODEL P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3360366), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice low approaches to runway 9. After completing several low approaches the pilot landed on a 1,500-foot grass strip located on the right side of runway 9. The pilot stated that, immediately after touchdown, the airplane was “pushed” by the wind and ground-looped, which resulted in a buckled firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident. The closest weather observation station (located about 16 nautical miles northwest of the accident site) reported wind out of 030 degrees at 6 knots about the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice low approaches to runway 9. He completed several low approaches during the flight, and on the final approach of the flight, the pilot elected to land on a 1,500 foot grass strip between two runway turnoffs. Immediately after touchdown, the pilot stated that the airplane was “pushed” by the wind and ground-looped. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane was substantially damaged with a buckled firewall. The pilot did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident. The closest weather observation station was at Washington County Airport (AFJ) and indicated that winds were out of 030 degrees at 6 knots about the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222WZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222WZ-2019-10-02), registration cancelled 2019-10-02, S/N C-707, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: THOMAS SCOTT EAA BIPLANE MODEL P
- Registry model: [Thomas Scott EAA BIPLANE MODEL P](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-scott-eaa-biplane-model-p) (registry code 3360366) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: C-707
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Novodran Igor
- Registered owner: Novodran Igor
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 3, 2012
- Departed: KAFJ, Washington, PA
- Destination: KWAY, Waynesburg, PA
- Airport: KWAY, Greene County Airport, runway 09, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 20, 2010; seat: center; flight hours: 200 total, 0 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 85 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: KAFJ, 14 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 20120605012969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120605012969A), Jun 5, 2012: Thomas Scott EAA BIPLANE MODEL P, Waynesburg, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that while landing at the green county airport (kway) on runway 9, the winds were gusty, and he lost control of the airplane. Inspector jeffery d.…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83873. 6.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Interview Summary and Statement (item 2, .PDF, 296 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370086&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary%20and%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Memormandum of Record (FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memormandum%20of%20Record%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspectors Statment (Airworthiness) (item 4, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370178&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspectors%20Statment%20(Airworthiness)-Redacted.PDF
- Waynesburg (AFJ) Meteorological Observations (item 5, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Waynesburg%20(AFJ)%20Meteorological%20Observations-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Overview of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369972&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Veiw of Wreckage from the Rear of the airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Veiw%20of%20Wreckage%20from%20the%20Rear%20of%20the%20airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.