# NTSB GAA17CA049: Aviat A-1C, N331MA, Placerville, CA, October 24, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2016, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Placerville, CA - Coordinates: 38.723888, -120.754165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7239&lon=-120.7542&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94305/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94305 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA049 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusty crosswind conditions. ## 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: [Aviat A-1C-180, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2210410), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,199 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-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The tailwheel endorsed pilot who was receiving additional instruction from an appropriately rated flight instructor acting as a safety pilot in the tailwheel equipped airplane reported, that during the landing roll before the tail settled to the runway, a gust of wind "pushed" the airplane to the right edge of the runway. He further reported that he attempted to abort the landing to avoid parked aircraft. Subsequently, the airplane impacted an airport perimeter fence during the aborted landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the right aileron and the rudder. 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 the local weather on the airfield, about the time of the accident, recorded the wind from 180 degrees true, at 12 nautical miles per hour (knots), with gusts to 20 knots. The pilot landed runway 23. ## Factual narrative The tailwheel endorsed pilot who was receiving additional instruction from an appropriately rated flight instructor acting as a safety pilot in the tailwheel equipped airplane reported, that during the landing roll before the tail settled to the runway, a gust of wind "pushed" the airplane to the right edge of the runway. He further reported that he attempted to abort the landing to avoid parked aircraft. Subsequently, the airplane impacted an airport perimeter fence during the aborted landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the right aileron and the rudder. 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 the local weather on the airfield, about the time of the accident, recorded the wind from 180 degrees true, at 12 nautical miles per hour (knots), with gusts to 20 knots. The pilot landed runway 23. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N331MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N331MA-2019-09-24), registration cancelled 2019-09-24, S/N 3089, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C (180) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-180) (registry code 2210410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1p) (registry code 42259, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3089 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 280 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 8, 2015 - Departed: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA - Destination: PVF, Placerville, CA - Airport: PVF, Placerville, runway 23, 3,910 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 4, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 269 total, 2 in this make and model, 144 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days - Flight instructor; age 36; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 18, 2015; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,515 total, 7 in this make and model, 1,455 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KPVF ## 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 20161024019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161024019149A), Oct 24, 2016: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Placerville, CA, Substantial damage. After touchdown, prior to tail wheel touchdown, experienced wind gust. Pilots initiated go-around and were unable to maintain directional control. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94305. 2.6 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=40447659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident photos (item 2, .PDF, 671 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20photos-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.