# NTSB GAA16CA225: Aviat A-1C-180, N13BF, Harlingen, TX, May 1, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 1, 2016, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Harlingen, TX
- Coordinates: 26.233055, -97.648612 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2331&lon=-97.6486&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 25, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93135
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93135/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93135
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA225

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop and substantial damage to the right wing.

## Findings

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

- [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-1C-180, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [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, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: 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, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he bounced once during the landing touchdown in crosswind conditions, and subsequently ground looped to the left. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway. An automated weather observing system, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 080 degrees true at 14 knots, for the landing on runway 17 left. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he bounced once during the landing touchdown in crosswind conditions, and subsequently ground looped to the left. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was substantially damaged when it impacted the runway. An automated weather observing system, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 080 degrees true at 14 knots, for the landing on runway 17 left. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. After multiple requests from the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13BF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13BF), registered now, S/N 3021, built 2008 (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: 3021
- Year built: 2008
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 67R, RIO GRANDE CITY, TX
- Destination: HRL, Harlingen, TX
- Airport: HRL, Valley Intl, runway 17L, 5,949 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observed at: KHRL

## 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 20160501007929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160501007929A), May 1, 2016: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Harlingen, TX, Substantial damage. On may 1, 2016, the pilot stated that on landing the aircraft started to porpoise due to a strong crosswind, lost control and ground looped the aircraft. There…

## Other investigations on N13BF (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 ERA24LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA005), Oct 7, 2023: Aviat A-1C-180 (N13BF), Harrisonburg, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent runway excursion.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 14, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93135. 237 KB in all.

- Memorandum for Record - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442264&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442265&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442266&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.

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