# NTSB GAA17CA183: Johnson Jerry WAG Aero/SPT Trainer, N24188, Hendersonville, NC, March 9, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 9, 2017, 16:26 local (21:26 UTC) - Place: Hendersonville, NC - Coordinates: 35.393333, -82.40361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3933&lon=-82.4036&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94857 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94857/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94857 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA183 ## Probable cause The pilot’s unstabilized approach and failure to attain the proper touchdown point while attempting to land in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an attempted go-around and collision with trees and power lines. ## 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: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056021A), [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: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=056021A), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=056021A), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=056021A), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=056021A), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056021A), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=056021A), [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: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056021A), [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: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=056021A), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056021A), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=056021A), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056021A), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he attempted to land on his private airstrip but that he "landed long" due to "gusty crosswind conditions." Upon touchdown, a wind gust lifted the right wing, which resulted in the right wheel lifting off the ground. He added that he then performed a go-around, and that, due to the "high angle of attack" while attempting to clear trees and power lines, he did not have visibility out of his front windscreen. Subsequently, the airplane struck a tree and two power lines. The airplane descended, impacted the ground, and was consumed by a fire started by the severed power lines. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located about 7 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, reported wind from 190° at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed to the southwest. ## Factual narrative According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot reported that he attempted to land on his private airstrip, but "landed long" due to "gusty crosswind conditions". Upon touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, which resulted in the right wheel lifting off the ground. He then performed a go-around, and reported that due to the "high angle of attack" while attempting to clear trees and power lines, he did not have visibility out of his front windscreen. Subsequently, the airplane struck a tree and two power lines. The airplane descended impacting the ground, and was consumed by a fire started by the severed powerlines. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage and empennage. The FAA inspector reported that the pilot stated there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 7 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 190° at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed to the southwest. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24188](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24188-2017-04-19), registration cancelled 2017-04-19, S/N 1206 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHNSON JERRY WAG AERO/SPT TRAINER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-jerry-wag-aero-spt-trainer) (registry code 056021A) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1206 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 600 - Engines: Continental 85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2017 - Departed: 0A7, HENDERSONVILLE, NC - Destination: Hendersonville, NC - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 8 in this make and model, 4,900 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KAVL, 7 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 20170309005529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170309005529A), Mar 9, 2017: Johnson Jerry WAG-AERO/SPT TRAINER, Hendersonville, NC, Destroyed. Pilot attempted landing at his home airport. Pilot stated that on landing a wind gust picked up his right wing and he chose to a go around. During the go… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 8, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94857. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 860 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451889&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.