# NTSB ERA20LA109: Rockwell 112, N377SB, Knoxville, TN, February 15, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 15, 2020, 14:38 local (19:38 UTC) - Place: Knoxville, TN - Coordinates: 35.963333, -83.868331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9633&lon=-83.8683&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, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100984 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100984/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100984 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA109 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control during landing following deflation of a flat-spotted tire for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: tire casing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md?model=7630303), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7630303), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7630303), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7630303), [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: [Rockwell International 112B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7630303), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rockwell International 112B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7630303), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot flew a normal approach, landed about 1/3 down the runway, and applied the brakes equally a few seconds after touchdown. About 1 or 2 seconds after the airplane began to slow, he felt, "a very aggressive turn to the left," which he described as if the airplane had suddenly encountered a 20+ knot crosswind. He applied right rudder input, but the airplane continued left, departed the runway onto grass, and impacted a ditch coming to rest with the nose landing gear collapsed. The left main landing gear tire was found deflated and flat spotted. Postaccident examination of the airplane's brake system revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The reason for the flat-spotted tire could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 2020, about 1438 eastern standard time, a Rockwell International 112B, N377SB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Knoxville, Tennessee. The pilot sustained a minor injury and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that after departure from Bowman Field Airport (LOU) he proceeded to Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX) and with calm winds, entered an extended left base leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 08. He turned onto the final approach leg of the airport traffic pattern, and reported touching down 1/3 down the runway. A few seconds after landing, he equally applied the brakes, and about 1 or 2 seconds after the airplane began to slow, he felt, "a very aggressive turn to the left," which he described as if the airplane had suddenly encountered a 20+ knot crosswind. He applied right rudder input but that did not correct the left turn. The airplane departed the runway onto grass, where he attempted to slow the airplane. The airplane then veered again to the left and this time he had no rudder authority. He instructed the passenger to brace for impact and reported coming to an abrupt stop. When the pilot exited the airplane, he noted that the left main landing gear tire was deflated. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the accident site and airplane, rubber transfer on the runway consistent with the left tire began about 1,900 ft from the approach end of the runway. After exiting the runway, the airplane traveled about 600 ft, and impacted a drainage ditch, causing the nose landing gear to collapse. The left main landing gear tire exhibited a flat spot through the tread. Postaccident examination of the airplane's brake system revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N377SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N377SB-2021-02-27), registration cancelled 2021-02-27, S/N 526, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell 112 (B) - Registry model: [Rockwell International 112B](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112b) (registry code 7630303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 526 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 2996 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2019 - Departed: LOU, Louisville, KY - Destination: DKX, Knoxville, TN - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: DKX, Knoxville Downtown Island, runway 08, 3,499 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 15, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 292 total, 220 in this make and model, 259 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: TYS, 10 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 20200215000159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200215000159A), Feb 15, 2020: Rockwell International 112B, Knoxville, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot landed on runway 08 touching down approximately (per pilot) 750 feet from numbers at 70 knots. At approximately 1900 feet from the runway numbers the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 16, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100984. 6.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9307386&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Recd%202%2028%202020_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - additional flight details (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9306720&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record_Additional%20Flight%20Details_v02_ERA20LA109-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 13 pages, 11 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9307202&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9321847&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-Rel.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.