# NTSB FTW01LA089: Aviat A-1B Husky, N304C, Odessa, TX, March 23, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 23, 2001, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Odessa, TX - Coordinates: 31.850904, -102.359436 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8509&lon=-102.3594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51982/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA089 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings, and during the second landing roll, he overcompensated on the rudder controls, and the airplane departed the runway to the right. The airplane ground looped, and the left wing contacted the ground. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest upright. ## Factual narrative On March 23, 2001, at 1100 central standard time, an Aviat A-1B Husky tail wheel-equipped aircraft, N304C, was substantially damaged when it ground looped while landing at the Odessa-Schlemeyer Field, Odessa, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Odessa-Schlemeyer Field, approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 02. During the second landing roll, the pilot overcompensated on the rudder controls, and the airplane departed the runway to the right. The airplane ground looped and contacted the ground with the left wing. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the aircraft revealed that the left wing's spar was bent up approximately 30 degrees outboard of the lift strut. At 1053, the weather observation facility at the Midland International Airport (located 11 miles east of the Odessa Airport), reported the wind from 110 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 18 degrees Celsius, dew point 8 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), under the section titled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)," the pilot wrote "proper application and proper degree of application of ailerons and rudder." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N304C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N304C), registered now, S/N 2113, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A-1B Husky - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2113 - Airframe hours: 85 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-AIP 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffrey T. Hunter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2000, 83 hours before - Departed: ODO, Odessa, TX - Airport: ODO, Schlemeyer Field, runway 02, 5,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 9, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 355 total, 13 in this make and model, 284 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MAF, 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 20010323006149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010323006149A), Mar 23, 2001: Aviat A1B, Odessa, TX, No damage. (-23) On March 23, 2001, at approx. 1100 CST, the PIC of Aviat-husky aircraft, N304C, lost control and groundlooped during the landing sequence. The a/c… 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.