# NTSB GAA16CA289: American AA 1A, N6391L, Lone Pine, CA, June 5, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 5, 2016, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lone Pine, CA - Coordinates: 36.80722, -117.781669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8072&lon=-117.7817&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93336/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93336 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA289 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect brake and power application during landing, which resulted in a runway overrun, collision with a dirt berm, nose gear collapse, and nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: [American AA-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 1,127 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: [American AA-1A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0630710), [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: [American AA-1A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 3,643 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: [American AA-1A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [American AA-1A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0630710), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll on a backcountry dirt airstrip, the left wing lifted due to a gust of wind. The pilot further reported that he maintained a faster than normal ground roll by alleviating pressure on the brakes and maintaining some power to taxi up the incline of the airstrip, which was recommended in a YouTube video. As the end of the runway approached, the pilot reported that he was unable to stop the airplane or abort the landing. The airplane overran the runway and hit a dirt berm, which resulted in a nose gear collapse, a nose-over, and substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact 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 on a backcountry dirt airstrip, the left wing lifted due to a gust of wind. The pilot further reported that he maintained a faster than normal ground roll by alleviating pressure on the brakes and maintaining some power to taxi up the incline of the airstrip, which was recommended in a YouTube video. As the end of the runway approached, the pilot reported that he was unable to stop the airplane or abort the landing. The airplane overran the runway and hit a dirt berm, which resulted in a nose gear collapse, a nose-over, and substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6391L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6391L-2018-05-15), registration cancelled 2018-05-15, S/N AA1A-0391, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN AVIATION AA 1A (A) - Registry model: [American AA-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1a) (registry code 0630710) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1A-0391 - Year built: 1972 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2015 - Departed: TSP, TEHACHAPI, CA - Destination: Lone Pine, CA - Airport: runway None, 1,350 × 50 ft, gravel - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,500 total, 150 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KBIH, 44 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 20160605017869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160605017869A), Jun 5, 2016: American Aviation AA-1A, Lone Pine, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed at the Chicken Strip Airport in death valley California. During the ground roll out the aircraft ran off the runway at the departure end. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93336. 2.5 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=40441455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 671 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40441456&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.