# NTSB GAA17CA242: North American SNJ, N7969C, Van Nuys, CA, April 20, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 19, 2017, 17:45 local (Apr 20, 2017, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.213333, -118.490554 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2133&lon=-118.4906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95046/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95046
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA242

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll with a quartering tailwind.

## 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: [North American SNJ-5, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=6400418), [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: [North American SNJ-5, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=6400418), [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: [North American SNJ-5, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, as the tailwheel was contacting the ground, a "sudden gust of wind" lifted the right wing and that the airplane weather-vaned to the right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped and exited the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported that the wind was from 270° at 9 knots. The pilot landed on runway 16.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that as the tailwheel was contacting the ground, a "sudden gust of wind" lifted the right wing and the airplane weathervaned to the right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped and exited the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 270° at 9 knots. The pilot landed on runway 16.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7969C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7969C), registered now, S/N 43974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ (5)
- Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 43974
- Airframe hours: 6783
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2016
- Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA
- Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 2, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 900 total, 270 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KVNY

## 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 20170419004469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170419004469A), Apr 19, 2017: North American SNJ-5, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. On 04/19/2017, N7969C, a texan T6, upon landing at Van Nuys Airport (kvny), Van Nuys, CA, encountered a gust of wind that lifted the right-hand wing, causing…

## Other investigations on N7969C (2)

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.

- [NTSB WPR19LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA014), Oct 23, 2018: North American SNJ (N7969C), Agoura Hills, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: The failure of the No. 5 piston rod end due to fatigue, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB LAX78FUQ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUQ05), Dec 7, 1977: N American SNJ-5 (N7969C), Van Nuys, CA, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95046.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452662&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.

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