# NTSB ERA17LA229: Aviat A-1C-180, N272WY, Dillwyn, VA, July 4, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2017, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Dillwyn, VA
- Coordinates: 37.492221, -78.517501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4922&lon=-78.5175&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95499/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95499
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA229

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of a grass airstrip that was of insufficient length for landing, and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during the go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: understanding/comprehension](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot was attempting to land at an unfamiliar grass airstrip. He made two low approaches, and on the third attempt, he elected to land the airplane with full flaps. After touchdown, he realized that he had insufficient runway remaining on which to stop, so he aborted the landing. Shortly after takeoff and after clearing the trees, the airplane abruptly stalled and impacted the ground. The grass airstrip was designed for radio-controlled model airplanes and was only 650 ft long. A large stand of trees formed the boundary of the northeast end of the runway. The pilot reported that he misidentified the grass airstrip and that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 2017, at 1130 eastern daylight time, an Aviat Aircraft Inc. A-1C-180, N272WY, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain in Dillwyn, Virginia. The private pilot was seriously injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a local, personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed.The pilot reported that he filled the airplane with fuel and departed his home airport for a private, paved airstrip about 12 miles to the northwest. He was encouraged to visit a neighbor who owned a grass airstrip located between the departure and destination airports, so he attempted to find the airstrip. He "falsely identified" the grass airstrip and attempted to land. He attempted two low approaches, the first with no flaps and the second with full flaps. On the third pass, he attempted to land the airplane with full flaps. After touching down, he realized that he did not have sufficient runway remaining to stop, and aborted the landing. Shortly after takeoff and after clearing the trees, the airplane "entered an abrupt stall" and impacted the ground. The pilot believed that he was at full power when airplane control was lost. He also stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration reported that the airplane came to rest in a steep, nose-low position in a cornfield. There was no fire. Structural damage to both wings and the fuselage was confirmed. The inspector reported that the field where the pilot was attempting to land was a grass strip designed for radio-controlled model aircraft. The strip was oriented to the northeast/southwest, was about 650 ft in length, and was not intended for general aviation aircraft. A large stand of trees formed the boundary of the northeast end of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N272WY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N272WY), registered now, S/N 3272, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C-180 (UNDESIGNAT)
- 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: 3272
- Year built: 2016
- Airframe hours: 40
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2016, 38 hours before
- Departed: FVX, Farmville, VA
- Destination: FVX, Farmville, VA
- Airport: NA, Private R-C, runway 4, 650 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 8, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 600 total, 73 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: FVX, 9 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 20170704017879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170704017879A), Jul 4, 2017: Aviat, AVIAT-1C, Dillwyn, VA, Substantial damage. The pilot was attempting to land on a grass strip normally used by r/c aircraft. Witness statements indicate that the pilot initiated a go-around after three…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95499. 5.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467889&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF
- NTSB Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467891&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Excerpts - Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467892&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20-%20Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF
- RC Landing Strip Diagram (item 5, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467893&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=RC%20Landing%20Strip%20Diagram-Master.PDF
- Photo Array (item 6, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467894&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.