# NTSB GAA16CA190: Monocoupe 110, N501W, Chandler, AZ, April 12, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 12, 2016, 09:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.269165, -111.811111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2692&lon=-111.8111&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 14, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93002/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93002
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA190

## Probable cause

The pilot's incorrect installation of the tailwheel steering bungee, which resulted in a runway excursion and airplane nose over.

## 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: [Monocoupe 110 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5810204), [All aircraft, 9,308 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: [Monocoupe 110 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5810204), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Monocoupe 110 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=5810204), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md)
- [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Monocoupe 110 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=5810204), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/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: [Monocoupe 110 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5810204), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Monocoupe 110 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5810204), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Monocoupe 110 SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5810204), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, after performing an initial test flight, during the landing roll the airplane rapidly veered right and the left wing struck the ground. The pilot reported that he overcorrected by applying full left rudder and the airplane exited the left side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot affirmed that prior to the flight he performed maintenance on the airplane to include the tail wheel single bungee steering system. The pilot reported that he installed the bungee incorrectly. The airplane sustained substantial both wings, the windshield and the fuselage.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, after performing an initial test flight, during the landing roll the airplane rapidly veered right and the left wing struck the ground. The pilot reported that he overcorrected by applying full left rudder and the airplane exited the left side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot affirmed that prior to the flight he performed maintenance on the airplane to include the tail wheel single bungee steering system. The pilot reported that he installed the bungee incorrectly. The airplane sustained substantial both wings, the windshield and the fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N501W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N501W), registered now, S/N 5W47 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MONOCOUPE 110 (Special)
- Registry model: [Monocoupe 110 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/monocoupe-110-special) (registry code 5810204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Warner SS40&50](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss40-50) (registry code 64503, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5W47
- Year built: 1930
- Airframe hours: 733
- Engines: WARNER R550-3 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Operator: White James L
- Registered owner: White James L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2016, 35 hours before
- Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ
- Destination: CHD, Chandler, AZ
- Airport: CHD, Chandler Muni, runway 04L, 4,401 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 2, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 31,500 total, 150 in this make and model, 26,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KCHD

## 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 20160412012259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160412012259A), Apr 12, 2016: Monocoupe 110 SPECIAL, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that after a normal landing a tailwind lifted the tail over, resulted in going off the runway inverted due to high winds.

## Other investigations on N501W (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX07CA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA010), Oct 15, 2006: Monocoupe 110 Special (N501W), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the forward left main landing gear attach point resulting in loss of control.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93002. 2.6 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=40441469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 2, .PDF, 688 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.

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