# NTSB GAA17CA421: Aviat A 1, N368HY, Dixie, ID, July 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 2, 2017, 20:30 local (Jul 3, 2017, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Dixie, ID - Coordinates: 45.513332, -115.439445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5133&lon=-115.4394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95616 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA421 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95616/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95616 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA421 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath to landing with sun glare and downdraft conditions, which resulted in the airplane landing in a ravine short of the runway. ## 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: [Aviat A-1B, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on short final approach to a back-country airstrip and approaching into a setting sun glare, the airplane encountered a downdraft. He added that he increased power and pitched up slowly, but the "sun came lower" and blocked his vision to the runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway in a ravine that was about 20 ft lower than the runway. The fuselage, wings, and elevator sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while on short final approach to a back-country airstrip, approaching into a setting sun glare, he encountered a downdraft. He added that he increased power and pitched up slowly, but the "sun came lower" and blocked his vision to the runway. Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway in a ravine that was about 20 ft. lower than the runway. The fuselage, wings, and elevator sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N368HY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N368HY), registered now, S/N 2363, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A 1 (B) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1p) (registry code 42259, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2363 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 1234.53 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 2016 - Departed: MYL, MC CALL, ID - Destination: A05, Dixie, ID - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 6, 2017; seat: front; flight hours: 2,726 total, 880 in this make and model, 2,332 as pilot in command, 30.2 in the last 90 days, 15.8 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KGIC, 30 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 20170702008799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170702008799A), Jul 2, 2017: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B, Dixie, ID, Substantial damage. The pilot encountered a downdraft on short final while landing to the west at a private airstrip. The down draft changed the pitch of the aircraft causing the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95616. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.