# NTSB GAA18CA019: Great Lakes 2T 1A 2, N7GL, Dayton, OH, October 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 22, 2017, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Dayton, OH - Coordinates: 39.691112, -83.991943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6911&lon=-83.9919&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96233 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96233/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96233 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA019 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [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: [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: [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: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped biplane, he was unable to determine the wind direction during his approach. He circled the airport multiple times and attempted to communicate on the common advisory traffic frequency. During the landing roll on the runway, the biplane experienced an "unexpected turn to (the) left similar to being weathercocked." The biplane exited the left side of the runway and continued across descending terrain before it nosed over. The METAR nearest to the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 16 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The biplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped biplane, he was unable to determine the wind direction during his approach. He circled the airport multiple times and attempted to communicate on the common advisory traffic frequency. During the landing roll on runway 25, the biplane experienced an "unexpected turn to (the) left similar to being weathercocked." The biplane exited the left side of the runway and continued across descending terrain before it nosed over. The METAR nearest to the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 16kts and gusting to 19kts. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7GL (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: GREAT LAKES 2T 1A 2 (2) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1009 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 201 - Engines: Aero Sport Power O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2017 - Departed: I19, Dayton, OH - Destination: I19, Dayton, OH - Airport: I19, Greene County-Lewis A Jackson, runway 25, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 15, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 960 total, 20 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 170° at 16 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KFFO, 9 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 20171022024019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171022024019A), Oct 22, 2017: Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, Xenia, OH, Substantial damage. Upon landing the pilot lost control of the aircraft due to gusty winds. The aircraft exited the runway into the grass and flipped on it's back, causing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96233. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.