# NTSB GAA17CA397: Rainbow Sky Reach Bushcat, N253BC, Ahoskie, NC, July 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2017, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Ahoskie, NC - Coordinates: 36.448055, -76.946113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4481&lon=-76.9461&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 November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95536 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA397 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95536/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95536 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA397 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper lateral/bank control during the landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a nose-over into water. ## 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: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=06001AB), [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 roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=06001AB), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that he overflew the river where he planned to land about 1,000 ft above the water. He observed "negligible surface clues" indicating wind direction and recalled that a nearby "ATIS" reported the wind as "light" and from the southwest, so he decided to land to the south. He added that, following a normal landing touchdown, as the airplane was slowing, a "sudden moderate to severe gust of wind came from the right to left." He added that he "inputted right stick to counter" the wind gust and applied power to "go-around," but the airplane nosed over forward and to the left. The fuselage, empennage, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station 14 nautical miles (nm) southwest from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 340° at 3 knots. The departure airport about 30 nm northeast reported, about the time the pilot departed, wind from 300° at 4 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from the southwest, gusting to 10 to 15 knots. He added that the landing direction was to the south. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, he overflew the river where he planned to land about 1,000 ft. above the water. He observed "negligible surface clues" indicating wind direction and recalled that a nearby "ATIS" reported the wind as "light" and from the southwest, so he decided to land to the south. He added that, following a normal landing touchdown, as the airplane was slowing, a "sudden moderate to severe gust of wind came from the right to left." He added that, he "inputted right stick to counter" the wind gust and applied power to "go-around," but the airplane nosed over forward and to the left. The fuselage, empennage, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, about the time of the accident, 14 nautical miles (NM) southwest from the accident site, reported wind from 340° at 3 knots. The departure airport, about 30 NM northeast, near the time the pilot departed, reported wind from 300° at 4 knots. The pilot reported the wind from the southwest, gusting 10 to 15 knots. He added that the landing direction was to the south. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N253BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N253BC-2017-12-29), registration cancelled 2017-12-29, S/N CH143B, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RAINBOW SKY REACH (PTY) LTD BUSHCAT (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Rainbow Sky Reach BUSHCAT](https://openairdocs.org/model/rainbow-sky-reach-bushcat) (registry code 06001AB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CH143B - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 169 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Overwatch Tools LLC. - Registered owner: Overwatch Tools LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2016 - Departed: KPVG, Chesapeake, VA - Destination: KPVG, Chesapeake, VA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,237 total, 9 in this make and model, 3,861.6 as pilot in command, 119.5 in the last 90 days, 29.5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KASJ, 14 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 20170707016539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170707016539A), Jul 7, 2017: Rainbow Sky Reach (Pty) Ltd BUSHCAT, Winton, NC, Destroyed. 07/08/2017 The pilot reported a normal approach to the water was made. Upon making contact with the water, he said the aircraft began to slow normally as it… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95536. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457021&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457022&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.