GAA18CA091

NTSB accident investigation · Aviat A-1 · Phoenix, AZ · December 19, 2017

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
December 19, 2017, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
Place
Phoenix, AZ
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N33HYAviat A-1
Defining event
Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report July 5, 2018
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20171219023739A
Case key
96516

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotAviat A-1B: 33 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: directional controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedAviat A-1B: 21 casesAll aircraft: 3,958 casesProbable cause
Wind: gustsEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operationAviat A-1B: 6 casesAll aircraft: 1,199 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, his intent was to perform a wheel landing, but during touchdown, the airplane bounced and a gust of wind lifted the left wing. The pilot applied left stick and right rudder to maintain directional control. The left wing settled, the nose of the airplane yawed to the right, and the tailwheel settled to the runway. The pilot applied aft stick and left rudder, but the left wing lifted again, and the nose yawed to the left. The right wing struck the ground and the airplane exited the runway to the left, where the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest on the right wingtip and began leaking fuel. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot in the tailwheel equipped airplane, his intent was to perform a wheel landing, but during touchdown, the airplane bounced, and a gust of wind lifted the left wing. The pilot applied left stick and right rudder to maintain directional control. The left wing settled, the nose of the airplane yawed to the right, and the tailwheel settled to the runway. The pilot applied aft stick and left rudder, but the left wing lifted again, and the nose yawed to the left. The right wing struck the ground and the airplane exited the runway to the left, where the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest on the right wingtip and began leaking fuel. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft

Registration
N33HY
Reported as
Aviat A-1 (B)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
2410
Built
2007
Airframe hours
718
Engine
Lycoming O-360-A1P, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · September 19, 2017
Departed
DVT · Phoenix, AZ
Destination
DVT · Phoenix, AZ
Airport
DVT · Phoenix Deer Valley, runway 25L, 8,196 × 100 ft, asphalt
Equipment
Angle of attack indicator, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
57
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
April 21, 2016
Seat
Front
Restraint
4-point
Flight hours
247 total · 58 in this make and model · 138 as pilot in command · 12 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 34 °F
Altimeter
30.15 inHg
Observed at
KDVT

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2018, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 4.0 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N33HY · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.