# NTSB GAA17CA449: Radford Darrel F Christen Eagle II, N304DR, Atchison, KS, July 22, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2017, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Atchison, KS
- Coordinates: 39.568054, -95.18 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5681&lon=-95.1800&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA449
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95704/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95704
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA449

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control 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: [Radford Darrel F CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05658EC), [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: [Radford Darrel F CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05658EC), [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: [Radford Darrel F CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05658EC), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Radford Darrel F CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05658EC), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Radford Darrel F CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05658EC), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Radford Darrel F CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05658EC), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a wind gust and subsequently veered off the runway to the left. The pilot overcorrected to the right, and the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the automated weather observation system indicated that the wind was from 270° at 10 knots. The airplane landed on runway 34.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a gust of wind, and subsequently veered off the runway to the left. The pilot over corrected to the right and the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the automated weather observation system indicated that the wind was from 270° at 10 knots. The airplane landed on runway 34.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N304DR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N304DR), registered now, S/N RADFORD-0001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RADFORD DARREL F CHRISTEN EAGLE II (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Radford Darrel F CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/radford-darrel-f-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658EC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RADFORD-0001
- Year built: 1981
- Airframe hours: 1152
- Engines: Lycoming AEIOA1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2017
- Departed: DDC, DODGE CITY, KS
- Destination: K59, Atchison, KS
- Airport: K59, Amelia Earhart, runway 34, 3,000 × 48 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 24, 2017; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,238 total, 1,148 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observed at: KSTJ, 17 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).

- [Incident 20170722014769I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170722014769I), Jul 22, 2017: Radford Darrel F CHRISTEN EAGLE II, Atchison, KS, Minor damage. The wichita flight standards district office received a call from the central region command center (roc), concerning an incident involving a single engine…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95704. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 799 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459747&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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