# NTSB GAA15CA264: Aviat A1, N288MD, Rock Springs, WY, September 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2015, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Rock Springs, WY - Coordinates: 41.592777, -109.055831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5928&lon=-109.0558&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 October 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92001/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92001 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA264 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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-1B, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210406), [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: [Aviat A-1B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: [Aviat A-1B, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll with a "considerable" left cross wind, the left wing "rose." He reported that the airplane veered to the left, and ground looped. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll with a "considerable" left cross wind, the left wing "rose." He reported that the airplane veered to the left, and ground looped. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N288MD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N288MD), registered now, S/N 2177, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT A1 (B) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2177 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 721 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 2015 - Departed: AFO, AFTON, WY - Destination: RKS, Rock Springs, WY - Airport: RKS, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County, runway 27, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 25, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,400 total, 12 in this make and model, 3,160 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KRKS ## 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 20150918015339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150918015339A), Sep 18, 2015: Aviat A-1B, Rock Springs, WY, Substantial damage. On September 18, 2015 at 11:50 MDT aircraft N288MD, sn 2177, experienced a ground loop while landing on runway 27 at Rock Springs airport, WY (rks). Weather… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92001. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.