# NTSB GAA17CA110: Christen Industries A 1, N9598Z, Milton-Freewater, OR, January 10, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 9, 2017, 16:00 local (Jan 10, 2017, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Milton-Freewater, OR - Coordinates: 45.936111, -118.412223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9361&lon=-118.4122&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94588 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94588/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94588 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA110 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off from unsuitable terrain with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while en route, the engine had "slight roughness," so he decided to land in an open snow-covered field on top of a hill to troubleshoot the issue. The pilot further reported that he resolved the engine issue on the ground and decided to take off downhill with a tailwind. During the takeoff roll, the pilot reported that he "noticed [wind] gust on the tail," the main landing gear were "sucked down" in a 1-ft-deep snow drift, and the airplane nosed over. The left wing, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while en route the engine had "slight roughness," so he decided to land in an open snow covered field on top of a hill to troubleshoot the issue. The pilot further reported that he was able to resolve the engine issue on the ground and decided to takeoff downhill with a tailwind. During the takeoff roll, the pilot reported that he "noticed [wind] gust on the tail," the main landing gear were "sucked down" in a one-foot snow drift, and the airplane nosed over. The left wing, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9598Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9598Z), registered now, S/N 1102, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES INC A 1 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1102 - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 1510 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 2016 - Departed: S95, COLLEGE PLACE, WA - Destination: Milton-Freewater, OR - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2016; seat: front; flight hours: 1,057 total, 848 in this make and model, 1,057 as pilot in command, 21.7 in the last 90 days, 7.6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: KALW, 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 20170109017809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170109017809A), Jan 9, 2017: Christen Industries Inc A-1, Milton Freewate, OR, Destroyed. During a local flight, the engine began to run rough. Pilot pulled carb ice with no change and decided to land in a snow-covered field to diagnose. Landed… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94588. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.