# NTSB GAA16CA507: Stropki Paul Outback, N56P, Dalton, OH, September 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2016, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Dalton, OH - Coordinates: 40.79861, -81.695556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7986&lon=-81.6956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94077 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA507 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94077/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94077 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA507 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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: [Stropki Paul OUTBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05608XF), [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: [Stropki Paul OUTBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05608XF), [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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Stropki Paul OUTBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05608XF), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Stropki Paul OUTBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05608XF), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: [Stropki Paul OUTBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05608XF), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Stropki Paul OUTBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05608XF), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Stropki Paul OUTBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05608XF), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane stated that during landing, the airplane did not want to "settle" to the runway due to gusting winds. He further stated that upon touchdown the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing, and right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of local weather from an automated weather observation station located about 10 miles to the northwest, showed that about 15 minutes before the accident the wind was variable at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and few clouds at 4700 feet above ground level. However, the pilot reported the wind at the accident site as 170 degrees true, 8 knots, gusts to 20 knots, and he was landing runway 18. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane stated that during landing, the airplane did not want to "settle" to the runway due to gusting winds. He further stated that upon touchdown the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing, and right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of local weather from an automated weather observation station located about 10 miles to the northwest, showed that about 15 minutes before the accident the wind was variable at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and few clouds at 4700 feet above ground level. However, the pilot reported the wind at the accident site as 170 degrees true, 8 knots, gusts to 20 knots, and he was landing runway 18. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56P), registered now, S/N S9910-0226 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STROPKI PAUL OUTBACK (SERIES5) - Registry model: [Stropki Paul OUTBACK](https://openairdocs.org/model/stropki-paul-outback) (registry code 05608XF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-240 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-240-series) (registry code 17063, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: S9910-0226 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 550 - Engines: Continental IO-240B4B 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2015 - Departed: TSO, CARROLLTON, OH - Destination: None, Dalton, OH - Airport: runway 18, 2,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 16, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,157 total, 550 in this make and model, 1,066 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KBJJ, 10 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 20160903016069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160903016069A), Sep 3, 2016: Stropki Paul OUTBACK, Dalton, OH, Substantial damage. On 09/03/2016 pilot was landing on a private sod runway. During the landing a gust of wind caused the aircraft to float down the runway. The pilot attempted to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94077. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445989&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 422 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.