# NTSB GAA15CA060: Watson David E Skybolt, N88FX, Carson City, NV, May 4, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 4, 2015, 09:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Carson City, NV
- Coordinates: 39.192222, -119.732498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1922&lon=-119.7325&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 July 8, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91132/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91132
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA060

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Watson David E SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05655HD), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: [Watson David E SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05655HD), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Watson David E SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=05655HD), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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: [Watson David E SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05655HD), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Watson David E SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05655HD), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Watson David E SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05655HD), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot landing the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported he was unable to correct for winds after touchdown and decided to abort the landing. During takeoff the biplane's left lower wing struck a taxiway sign. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Safety Inspector performed a subsequent examination of the biplane, and documented and photographed substantial damage to the bottom left wing spar. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot landing the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported he was unable to correct for winds after touchdown and decided to abort the landing. During takeoff the biplane's left lower wing struck a taxiway sign. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Safety Inspector performed a subsequent examination of the biplane, and documented and photographed substantial damage to the bottom left wing spar. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88FX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88FX), registered now, S/N DEW3923883, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WATSON DAVID E SKYBOLT (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Watson David E SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/watson-david-e-skybolt) (registry code 05655HD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1a) (registry code 41818, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DEW3923883
- Year built: 1986
- Airframe hours: 548
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Scronce Anthony W
- Registered owner: Scronce Anthony W
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2015, 8 hours before
- Departed: KCXP, CARSON CITY, NV
- Destination: KCXP, CARSON CITY, NV
- Airport: KCXP, Carson City Airport, runway 09, 6,100 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 443.7 total, 166.6 in this make and model, 387.7 as pilot in command, 9.3 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KCXP

## 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 20150504006109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150504006109A), May 4, 2015: Watson David E SKYBOLT, Carson City, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot stated his approach for landing runway 27 was normal with a flare on the centerline. Just at touch down the right wing suddenly lifted and aircraft…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91132. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428567&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum For Record - FAA Air Safety Inspector (Morgan) (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428568&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Air%20Safety%20Inspector%20(Morgan)-Master.PDF
- Memorandum For Record - METAR KCPX (0935 PDT) (item 3, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20%20-%20METAR%20KCPX%20(0935%20PDT)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Left Lower Wing Spar (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Left%20Lower%20Wing%20Spar%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.