# NTSB GAA17CA190: Davis Frank R Xenos Motorglider, N56FD, Minden, NV, March 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2017, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV - Coordinates: 38.999168, -119.751945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9992&lon=-119.7519&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 November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94882 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94882/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94882 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA190 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in variable wind 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: [Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05631YM), [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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631YM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05631YM), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=05631YM), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05631YM), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05631YM), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05631YM), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during touchdown, the airplane "weathervaned to the left and full right rudder could not keep it on the runway." Subsequently, the main landing gear dug into the soft mud, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The pilot landed on runway 34. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during touchdown the airplane "weathervaned to the left and full right rudder could not keep it on the runway". Subsequently, the main landing gear dug into the soft mud and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located on the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 6 knots. The pilot landed on runway 34. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56FD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56FD-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N XNS-019, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAVIS FRANK R XENOS MOTORGLIDER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-frank-r-xenos-motorglider) (registry code 05631YM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300a) (registry code 34804, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider, amateur-built - Serial number: XNS-019 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 74 - Engines: JABIRU 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 12, 2016 - Departed: MEV, Minden, NV - Destination: MEV, Minden, NV - Airport: MEV, Minden-Tahoe, runway 34, 7,399 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; last flight review October 27, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,277 total, 74 in this make and model, 4,078 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KMEV ## 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 20170311002029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170311002029A), Mar 11, 2017: Davis Frank R XENOS MOTORGLIDER, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. The pilot departed mev for a solo local VFR pleasure/proficiency flight. The pilot stated he made two normal touch-and-goes; however, on the third landing, the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94882. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 844 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.