# NTSB FTW98LA110: Aviat A-1, N503MZ, Buena Vista, CO, January 28, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 28, 1998, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Buena Vista, CO - Coordinates: 38.8297, -106.140228 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8297&lon=-106.1402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20525 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20525/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA110 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors were the crosswind changing to a tailwind, and the pilot's lack of experience in the type of aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot said that although he had considerable flight experience, his exposure to the Aviat A-1 was limited. The purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings and to become more familiar with the airplane. The landing was made on runway 15. The wind was from 230 degrees at 10 knots, creating a right crosswind. The pilot said he made 'a bad touch down' and added power to abort the landing. When the airplane became airborne, the wind shifted to a quartering tailwind and it settled back onto the ground and departed the left side of the runway. The airplane went down a hill and collided with a tree. ## Factual narrative On January 28, 1998, approximately 1315 mountain standard time, an Aviat A-1, N503MZ, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while landing at Buena Vista, Colorado. The airline transport-rated pilot and his certificated private pilot/passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Buena Vista approximately 1310. The following is based on this investigator's telephone interview with the pilot and the written accident report he submitted. The pilot had taken delivery of the airplane from the manufacturer three days before the accident. He said that although he had considerable flight experience, his exposure to the Aviat A-1 was limited. The purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings and to become more familiar with the airplane. The pilot-rated passenger made the takeoff, then the pilot-in-command took control to make the landing. The pilot said he was landing on runway 15. The wind was from 230 degrees at 10 knots, resulting in an almost direct right crosswind. The pilot said he made "a bad touch down" and added power to make a go around. When the airplane became airborne, the wind shifted to a quartering tailwind and it settled back onto the ground and departed the left side of the runway. It went down a hill and collided with a tree. The pilot said the aft portion of the fuselage was buckled, the wing struts, elevator and rudder were damaged, and the landing gear was folded under the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N503MZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N503MZ), registered now, S/N 1405, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT A-1 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1a) (registry code 2210405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1392 - Airframe hours: 11 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Claude O. Mcbroom - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1998, 11 hours before - Departed: 7V1 - Airport: 7V1, Buena Vista Municipal, runway 15, 8,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 11,866 total, 13 in this make and model, 8,561 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GUC ## 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 19980128002739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980128002739A), Jan 28, 1998: Chris A1, Buena Vista, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control landing gusty wind. Dragged wing. Lsot control. Exited rwy down an embankment. Wind low time in type. (.4)the pilot said that although he had… 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.