# NTSB GAA18CA118: Somerton David J JA30 Superstol, N726AD, Kerrville, TX, February 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 5, 2018, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Kerrville, TX - Coordinates: 29.976943, -99.089164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9769&lon=-99.0892&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 April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96703 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96703/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96703 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA118 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting 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: [Somerton David J JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05635JT), [All aircraft, 3,971 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: [Somerton David J JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635JT), [All aircraft, 9,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Somerton David J JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05635JT), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Somerton David J JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05635JT), [All aircraft, 1,015 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: [Somerton David J JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05635JT), [All aircraft, 1,131 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: [Somerton David J JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05635JT), [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: [Somerton David J JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05635JT), [All aircraft, 3,659 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing in crosswind conditions, a wind gust "initiated" a ground loop, and the airplane exited the runway to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. 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 on the airport reported that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 200° at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 12. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing in crosswind conditions, a wind gust "initiated" a ground loop and the airplane exited the runway to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. 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 on the airport reported that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 200° at 13 knots, gusting 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 12. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N726AD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N726AD-2022-12-03), registration cancelled 2022-12-03, S/N JA398-07-14, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SOMERTON DAVID J JA30 SUPERSTOL (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Somerton David J JA30 SUPERSTOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/somerton-david-j-ja30-superstol) (registry code 05635JT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA398-07-14 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 88.9 - Engines: ROTAX 914UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 3, 2017 - Departed: BWD, BROWNWOOD, TX - Destination: ERV, Kerrville, TX - Airport: ERV, Kerrville Muni/Louis Schreiner, runway 12, 6,004 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,068 total, 72 in this make and model, 883 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KERV ## 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 20180205020039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180205020039A), Feb 5, 2018: Somerton David J JA30 SUPERSTOL, Kerrville, TX, Substantial damage. Upon landing runway 21 at erv the PIC encountered a gust of crosswind just after touchdown. The gust raised the aircraft off the runway and subsequently landed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96703. 4.8 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=40461222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.