# NTSB ERA23LA278: Gopalan Hariharan 4 Place, N108YZ, Sanford, NC, June 25, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 25, 2023, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Sanford, NC · On airport - Coordinates: 35.582439, -79.101338 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5824&lon=-79.1013&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FDSO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192484 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192484/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA278 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind, which resulted in a nose over. ## 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: [Gopalan Hariharan 4 PLACE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05638SD), [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: [Gopalan Hariharan 4 PLACE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05638SD), [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 · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Gopalan Hariharan 4 PLACE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05638SD), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Gopalan Hariharan 4 PLACE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05638SD), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Gopalan Hariharan 4 PLACE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05638SD), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/builder of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he had flown a few times around the airport traffic pattern and was preparing for a full stop landing. After touchdown, the airplane began to veer to the left. He applied right rudder; however, he ran out of rudder authority due to the crosswind conditions that prevailed. He applied right brake to prevent a runway excursion; however, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane’s fuselage, right wing, and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the accident would have been prevented if he had more crosswind handling training. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N108YZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N108YZ), registered now, S/N 986, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GOPALAN HARIHARAN 4 Place - Registry model: [Gopalan Hariharan 4 PLACE](https://openairdocs.org/model/gopalan-hariharan-4-place) (registry code 05638SD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 986 - Year built: 2019 - Airframe hours: 47 - Engines: Eggenfellner E200 200 horsepower reciprocating; Eggenfellner EG 200 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 15, 2023, 47 hours before - Airport: TTA, Raleigh Executive Jetport, runway 3, 6,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 281 total, 49 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KTTA - METAR: KTTA 251605Z AUTO 29004KT 10SM SCT044 BKN050 28/17 A2993 RMK AO2 T02840174 ## 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 20230625007379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230625007379A), Jun 25, 2023: Gopalan Hariharan 4 PLACE, Sanford, NC, Substantial damage. According to pilot statement: "I was doing touch and go's at ktta on Sunday, June 25 around noon. The winds were favoring runway 03. I had gone around the… 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.