# NTSB GAA17CA246: Thomas B Mcgrath JA30 Superstol, N614WB, Chesterfield, MO, April 24, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2017, 15:31 local (20:31 UTC) - Place: Chesterfield, MO - Coordinates: 38.659721, -90.646942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6597&lon=-90.6469&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95067/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95067 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA246 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll in 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: [Thomas B Mcgrath JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05634AF), [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: [Thomas B Mcgrath JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634AF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Thomas B Mcgrath JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05634AF), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Thomas B Mcgrath JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05634AF), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Thomas B Mcgrath JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05634AF), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Thomas B Mcgrath JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05634AF), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Thomas B Mcgrath JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05634AF), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after several attempts to land, the wind had changed to a more favorable direction and that "[he] was confident in [landing] the plane." He added that the approach was uneventful but that, during the landing roll, "a cross wind started pushing the aircraft and tail left." Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left wing aileron, and right wing rear spar. 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 airport, about the time of the accident, reported that the wind was from 180° at 10 knots. The pilot landed on runway 8L. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that after several attempts to land, the wind had changed to a more favorable direction and "[he] was confident in [landing] the plane". He added that the approach was uneventful, but during the landing roll "a cross wind started pushing the aircraft and tail left". Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left wing aileron and right wing rear spar. 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 airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 180° at 10 knots. The pilot landed on runway 8L. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N614WB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N614WB), registered now, S/N JA422-11-14, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THOMAS B MCGRATH JA30 SUPERSTOL (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Thomas B Mcgrath JA30 SUPERSTOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-b-mcgrath-ja30-superstol) (registry code 05634AF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914-series) (registry code 55575, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA422-11-14 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 80 - Engines: Rotax BullyHawk 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: SAR, SPARTA, IL - Destination: SUS, Chesterfield, MO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St Louis, runway 8L, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 110.3 total, 42 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KSUS ## 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 20170424008539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170424008539A), Apr 24, 2017: Suprstol JA30, Chesterfield, MO, Substantial damage. On April 24, 2017 at approximately 1528 CST a JA30 superstol, N614WB s/n JA422-11-14, amateur built, piston powered experimental type aircraft sustained… ## 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=95067. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 910 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 424 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452664&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.