# NTSB ERA15CA037: Aviat S 2C, N340BF, Rutland, VT, October 28, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 28, 2014, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Rutland, VT
- Coordinates: 43.606109, -72.973892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6061&lon=-72.9739&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90341/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90341
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA037

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop and subsequent substantial damage to the airplane.

## 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 S-2C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8130001), [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 S-2C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8130001), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aviat S-2C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=8130001), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aviat S-2C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8130001), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 S-2C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8130001), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he overflew the runway, observed the windsock, and elected to perform a left quartering headwind landing. The approach and landing on runway 19 was "uneventful" and during the landing roll, the pilot applied left aileron and used both rudder pedals to maintain directional control. Then, the airplane began to veer to the left and "ground looped." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder during the accident sequence. The pilot further reported that a mechanic indicated that the "tailwheel may be broken" which may have contributed to the ground loop. A postaccident examination revealed that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 120 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 23 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he overflew the runway, observed the windsock, and elected to perform a left quartering headwind landing. The approach and landing on runway 19 was "uneventful" and during the landing roll, the pilot applied left aileron and used both rudder pedals to maintain directional control. Then, the airplane began to veer to the left and "ground looped." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder during the accident sequence. The pilot further reported that a mechanic indicated that the "tailwheel may be broken" which may have contributed to the ground loop. A postaccident examination revealed that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 120 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 23 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N340BF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N340BF), registered now, S/N 6055, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC S 2C (C)
- Registry model: [Aviat S-2C](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-s-2c) (registry code 8130001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6055
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 396
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 2013
- Departed: ANP, Annapolis, MD
- Destination: HIE, Whitefield, NH
- Airport: KRUT, Rutland Airport, runway 19, 5,003 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 27, 2014; seat: rear; flight hours: 550 total, 300 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 120° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: KRUT, 5 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 20141028021399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141028021399A), Oct 28, 2014: Aviat Aircraft Inc S-2C, Rutland, VT, Substantial damage. Pilot landed at rut airport with substantial gusting winds. Upon touchdown, aircraft ground looped, causing damage to tail, elevator, right wing tip, right…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90341. 3.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 904 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419808&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF
- Airport Accident Report (item 4, .PDF, 197 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Airplane at Rest (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 919 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20at%20Rest%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Substantial Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 883 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Substantial%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.

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