# NTSB GAA16CA425: American Legend AL3, N35451, San Diego, CA, August 10, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2016, 18:05 local (Aug 10, 2016, 01:05 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.814723, -117.139999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8147&lon=-117.1400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA425 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93804/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93804 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA425 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind. ## 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: [American Legend AL3, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060002K), [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: [American Legend AL3, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 1,428 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during landing after the left main landing gear touched down, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the left. The pilot further reported that he applied right rudder and full power to abort the landing, but the right main landing gear impacted an airport taxiway marker. The airplane spun to the right and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the forward left lift strut. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that about 12 minutes before the accident the wind was 240 degrees true at 9 knots. A further review of the recorded data revealed that about 6 minutes after the accident the wind was 240 degrees true at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 28L. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during landing after the left main landing gear touched down, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the left. The pilot further reported that he applied right rudder and full power to abort the landing, but the right main landing gear impacted an airport taxiway marker. The airplane spun to the right and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the forward left lift strut. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that about 12 minutes before the accident the wind was 240 degrees true at 9 knots. A further review of the recorded data revealed that about 6 minutes after the accident the wind was 240 degrees true at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 28L. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35451](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35451-2023-08-25), registration cancelled 2023-08-25, S/N AL-1054, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3 - Registry model: [American Legend AL3](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-legend-al3) (registry code 060002K) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AL-1054 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 819.8 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2016 - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA - Destination: MYF, San Diego, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field, runway 28L, 3,401 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Heads up display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 273 total, 39 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KMYF ## 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 20160809021979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160809021979A), Aug 9, 2016: American Legend Aircraft Co AL3, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Practicing touch and go landings on runway 28L. Wind direction and velocity was reported at 230 degrees 8-10 knots. Touched down on left wheel and the aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93804. 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=40446248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446249&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.