# NTSB ERA24LA005: Aviat A-1C-180, N13BF, Harrisonburg, VA, October 7, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 7, 2023, 20:30 UTC
- Place: Harrisonburg, VA
- Coordinates: 38.263833, -78.896444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2638&lon=-78.8964&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/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193224/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193224
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA005

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent runway excursion.

## 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 · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 A-1C-180, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 A-1C-180, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2210410), [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: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was returning to his home airport, and prior to landing, he received an automated weather briefing noting a 90-degree crosswind that was from 320 degrees at 12 knots, with gusts. The runway in use was runway 05, and a preceding aircraft reported a direct crosswind. The initial approach and landing were uneventful. When the airplane touched down and all three wheels were on the ground, an unexpected gust of wind lifted the left wing and started pushing the airplane towards the right. The airplane exited the runway into the grass. The wind then lifted the tail of the airplane and it nosed over onto the vertical stabilizer. The fuselage and empennage of the airplane were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane, that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13BF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13BF), registered now, S/N 3021, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C-180
- 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: 3021
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 1004
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2023, 47 hours before
- Departed: 8W2, New Market, VA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: SHD, Shenandoah Valley Rgnl, runway 05, 6,002 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 772 total, 249 in this make and model, 731 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KSHD
- METAR: 	
METAR KSHD 072015Z AUTO 32015G19KT 10SM CLR 16/00 A2988 RMK AO2 T01621001

## 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 20231007016609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231007016609A), Oct 7, 2023: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Weyers Cave, VA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated upon arrival at the Shenandoah regional airport, the runway in use was runway 05. Preceding aircraft reported a direct crosswind. According to…

## Other investigations on N13BF (1)

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.

- [NTSB GAA16CA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA225), May 1, 2016: Aviat A-1C-180 (N13BF), Harlingen, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop and substantial damage to the right wing.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 29, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193224. 3.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16487091&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120LA005%20N13BF_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA memorandum for record (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16740423&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20MOR%20LA005-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 975 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16708452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA005-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.

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