# NTSB GAA17CA578: Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41, N711NN, Eagle Grove, IA, July 3, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 3, 2017, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Eagle Grove, IA
- Coordinates: 42.712501, -93.919998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7125&lon=-93.9200&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 February 21, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA578
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96473/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96473
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA578

## 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: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 3,969 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: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 9,308 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: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 1,130 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: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5150011), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane encountered wind, exited the runway to the left, and the wing struck a runway light. The right wing sustained substantial damage. 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 station located about 7 nautical miles east-northeast of the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 060° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 13.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane encountered wind, exited the runway to the left, and the wing struck a runway light. The right hand wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 7 nautical miles east-northeast, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 060° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 13.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711NN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711NN), registered now, S/N 41614 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT MFG LC41 (550FG)
- Registry model: [Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/columbia-aircraft-mfg-lc41-550fg) (registry code 5150011) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-550-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-550-c) (registry code 17246, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 41614
- Year built: 2006
- Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-550-C reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 2016
- Departed: EBS, WEBSTER CITY, IA
- Destination: EAG, Eagle Grove, IA
- Airport: EAG, Eagle Grove Muni, runway 13, 3,500 × 60 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 196.6 total, 53.4 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KCAV, 7 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 20170703016759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170703016759A), Jul 3, 2017: Columbia Aircraft Mfg LC41-550FG, Eagle Grove, IA, Substantial damage. While conducting a crosswind landing at the Eagle Grove, Iowa airport. The airman lost control of the aircraft during touchdown causing the aircraft to go off…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96473. 869 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 691 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459523&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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