# NTSB GAA16CA510: Great Lakes 2T1A, N3771F, Port St. Lucie, FL, September 16, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 16, 2016, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Port St. Lucie, FL
- Coordinates: 27.240833, -80.488334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2408&lon=-80.4883&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA510
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94080/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94080
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA510

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to avoid the drainage pipe during the landing roll on a private grass airstrip. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reduced forward view from the rear seat.

## Findings

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

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 810 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Physical workspace: visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3910101), [All aircraft, 1,557 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tandem-seat, tailwheel equipped biplane reported that he was flying from the rear seat which limits his forward view, "especially in the landing configuration". He further reported that during the landing roll on a private grass airstrip, the biplane impacted a drainage pipe, which resulted in a collapsed left landing gear and substantial damage to both lower wings and the lower right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tandem-seat, tailwheel equipped biplane reported that he was flying from the rear seat which limits his forward view, "especially in the landing configuration". He further reported that during the landing roll on a private grass airstrip, the biplane impacted a drainage pipe, which resulted in a collapsed left landing gear and substantial damage to both lower wings and the lower right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3771F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3771F), registered now, S/N 0764 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GREAT LAKES 2T1A (2)
- Registry model: [Great Lakes 2T-1A-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/great-lakes-2t-1a-2) (registry code 3910101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0764
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 678
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-B1G6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2016
- Departed: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: FL37, Port St. Lucie, FL
- Airport: FL37, Treasure Coast Airpark, runway 09, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2016; seat: rear; flight hours: 14,500 total, 65 in this make and model, 14,300 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KSUA, 15 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 20160916015659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160916015659A), Sep 16, 2016: Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, Port St. Lucie, FL, Substantial damage. On September 16, 2016, about 1935 eastern daylight time, a Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, two place tandem bi-plane with a standard category certificate, N3771F,…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94080. 746 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 487 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446320&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.

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