# NTSB GAA15CA084: Faunce PA-11, N710JF, Morrisville, VT, May 20, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2015, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Morrisville, VT - Coordinates: 44.533054, -72.613609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5331&lon=-72.6136&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 Admnistration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91221 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91221/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91221 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA084 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and his deliberate application of excessive braking pressure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Faunce John W PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056235Z), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Faunce John W PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056235Z), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Faunce John W PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=056235Z), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Faunce John W PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=056235Z), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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: [Faunce John W PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056235Z), [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: [Faunce John W PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056235Z), [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: [Faunce John W PA-11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056235Z), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported a left crosswind during approach to the runway. During touchdown the airplane veered to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to return the airplane to the runway centerline by applying right rudder control and right brake. The airplane veered right and exited the right side of the runway. Approaching a ditch on the right side of the runway, the pilot applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot exited the airplane and reported seeing a shift in the windsock on the airfield from a left crosswind to a left quartering tailwind. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported a left crosswind during approach to the runway. During touchdown the airplane veered to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to return the airplane to the runway centerline by applying right rudder control and right brake. The airplane veered right and exited the right side of the runway. Approaching a ditch on the right side of the runway, the pilot applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot exited the airplane and reported seeing a shift in the windsock on the airfield from a left crosswind to a left quartering tailwind. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N710JF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N710JF), registered now, S/N J-001, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FAUNCE PA-11 - Registry model: [Faunce John W PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/faunce-john-w-pa-11) (registry code 056235Z) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-290-D2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-290-d2) (registry code 42090, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: J001 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 97 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 2015 - Departed: EFK, NEWPORT, VT - Destination: MVL, MORRISVILLE, VT - Airport: MVL, Morrisville-Stowe State, runway 01, 3,697 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 17, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,000 total, 48 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KMVL ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91221. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 630 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Right Wing Damage (item 2, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Wing%20Damage-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.