# NTSB GAA15CA165: Aviat A-1C-180, N317MA, Comanche, OK, July 4, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 4, 2015, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Comanche, OK - Coordinates: 34.313331, -97.996391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3133&lon=-97.9964&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Oklahoma City FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91516 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91516/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91516 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA165 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper pitch control during touchdown, which resulted in a nose over and impact with terrain. ## 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: [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) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting a wheel landing in a tailwheel airplane at his private grass air strip. During the landing touchdown, the airplane bounced once, settled back to the runway, and then suddenly nosed forward and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that he did not know why the airplane nosed over, but suspected the pilot rated passenger in the rear seat may have manipulated the flight controls in some manner. During a postaccident interview, the pilot rated passenger seated in the rear seat stated that he remained clear of the rudder pedals and flight controls for the entire flight. The passenger also reported that he observed the flight controls move abruptly to the full aft position just prior to the nose over. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. During a post-flight examination, the rudder and right wing were found to be substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was attempting a wheel landing in a tailwheel airplane at his private grass air strip. During the landing touchdown, the airplane bounced once, settled back to the runway, and then suddenly nosed forward and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that he did not know why the airplane nosed over, but suspected the pilot rated passenger in the rear seat may have manipulated the flight controls in some manner. During a postaccident interview, the pilot rated passenger seated in the rear seat stated that he remained clear of the rudder pedals and flight controls for the entire flight. The passenger also reported that he observed the flight controls move abruptly to the full aft position just prior to the nose over. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. During a post-flight examination, the rudder and right wing were found to be substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N317MA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N317MA), registered now, S/N 3185, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C-180 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 3185 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 80 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 2014 - Departed: None, Comanche, OK - Destination: None, Comanche, OK - Airport: None, Wildlife Ranch (Pvt.), runway 03, 3,800 × 180 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private, recreational; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 21, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 600 total, 44 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KDUC, 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 20150704015599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150704015599A), Jul 4, 2015: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Commanche, OK, Substantial damage. Aircraft was landing on a private strip [privacy data omitted]. On touch down the aircraft pulled to one side and ground looped and flipped onto its back.… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91516. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430695&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Passenger) (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430697&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Passenger)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Airplane Overview (Courtesy of Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20Overview%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Airplane Tail Section (Courtesy of Operator) (item 5, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20Tail%20Section%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.