# NTSB GAA16CA274: Koons Donald H Cygnet, N81DK, Zanesville, OH, May 31, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2016, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Zanesville, OH - Coordinates: 40.007221, -82.012496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0072&lon=-82.0125&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93299 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93299/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93299 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA274 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion, and a nose over. ## 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: [Koons Donald H CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05655DT), [All aircraft, 3,958 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: [Koons Donald H CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05655DT), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Koons Donald H CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=05655DT), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Koons Donald H CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05655DT), [All aircraft, 1,008 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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Koons Donald H CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05655DT), [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: [Koons Donald H CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05655DT), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Koons Donald H CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=05655DT), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Koons Donald H CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05655DT), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll in crosswind conditions the airplane veered off the runway to the left. The pilot further reported that in order to avoid hitting a drainage ditch he "braked too hard" and subsequently the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. According to the pilot there were 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 that during the landing roll in crosswind conditions the airplane veered off the runway to the left. The pilot further reported that in order to avoid hitting a drainage ditch he "braked too hard" and subsequently the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81DK-2026-06-20), registration cancelled 2026-06-20, S/N 152, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KOONS DONALD H CYGNET (A) - Registry model: [Koons Donald H CYGNET](https://openairdocs.org/model/koons-donald-h-cygnet) (registry code 05655DT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Revmaster 2100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/revmaster-2100) (registry code 52550, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 152 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 867.3 - Engines: Revmaster 2100D 72 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 2015 - Departed: 6G4, MOUNT VERNON, OH - Destination: 42I, Zanesville, OH - Airport: 42I, Parr, runway 28, 3,100 × 26 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 23, 2014; seat: left; flight hours: 2,315 total, 88 in this make and model, 2,315 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KZZV, 7 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 20160531008479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160531008479A), May 31, 2016: Cygnet SF2A, Zanesville, OH, Substantial damage. PIC lost control on landing roll-out due to a gust of wind. The aircraft left main wheel departed the pavement on the left side of the runway onto the grass.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93299. 2.0 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=40443164&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443165&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. --- 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.