# NTSB GAA17CA292: Airtime Cygnet, N168AT, Casa Grande, AZ, May 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2017, 17:30 local (May 21, 2017, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Casa Grande, AZ - Coordinates: 32.955001, -111.766944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9550&lon=-111.7669&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95204 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95204/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95204 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA292 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airtime CYGNET, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=06001AR), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Airtime CYGNET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=06001AR), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Airtime CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=06001AR), [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: [Airtime CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=06001AR), [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. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Airtime CYGNET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=06001AR), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Airtime CYGNET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=06001AR), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Airtime CYGNET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=06001AR), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Airtime CYGNET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=06001AR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Airtime CYGNET, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=06001AR), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor in the amphibious, float-equipped, weight-shift-controlled trike reported that he was demonstrating multiple touch-and-go landings for the student pilot, who was in the front seat of the tandem-seat trike. He added that, during the final approach, the wind was "light and variable," and the landing was "smooth and stable." He further added that, as power was applied to takeoff, a "gust of wind and dust came in from our left and got under the wing." Subsequently, the trike veered off the runway to the right and rolled over. The wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the trike that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the accident airport recorded that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 330° at 9 knots. The flight instructor reported the takeoff was from runway 5. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor in the amphibious float-equipped weight-shift controlled trike reported that, he was demonstrating multiple touch-and-go landings for the student pilot, who was in the front seat of the tandem seat trike. He added that during the final approach, wind was "light and variable" and the landing was "smooth and stable." He further added that as power was applied to takeoff, a "gust of wind and dust came in from our left and got under the wing." Subsequently, the trike veered off the runway to the right and rolled over. The wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the trike that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind 330° at 9 knots. The flight instructor reported the takeoff was on runway 5. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N168AT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N168AT), registered now, S/N 00107, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRTIME AIRCRAFT INC CYGNET (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Airtime CYGNET](https://openairdocs.org/model/airtime-cygnet) (registry code 06001AR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: 00107 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 35 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: CGZ, CASA GRANDE, AZ - Destination: CGZ, CASA GRANDE, AZ - Airport: CGZ, Casa Grande Muni, runway 5, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 31; injuries: minor; commercial, sport pilot, private, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 8,050 total, 50 in this make and model, 6,380 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 10 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KCGZ ## 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 20170520007649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170520007649A), May 20, 2017: Airtime Aircraft CYGNET, Casa Grande, AZ, Substantial damage. On 5/20/2017 N168AT-Cygnet (light sport weight shift) being piloted by CFI ^benjamin pedersen^ with student pilot ^walter denton^ (student pilot stated he was… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95204. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Student Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.