# NTSB GAA18CA158: Johnson Gerald CR-1, N142DT, Altamont, NY, March 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2018, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Altamont, NY - Coordinates: 42.736946, -74.066108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7369&lon=-74.0661&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96857 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96857/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96857 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA158 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain the runway heading during the approach in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=05626OC), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05626OC), [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: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05626OC), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05626OC), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05626OC), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05626OC), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05626OC), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05626OC), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05626OC), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Johnson Gerald CR-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05626OC), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the ski-equipped airplane reported that, while on approach to a snow-covered airstrip, there was a quartering right gusting crosswind. He added that, about 100 ft above the ground, the right wing rose, and he attempted to correct to no avail. He added that the airplane was about 90° off of course to the left, and he chose to go between two trees. Subsequently, the left wing impacted a tree and separated from the airplane, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. 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 system about 9 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 12 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The pilot landed on runway 26. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the ski-equipped airplane reported that, while on approach to a snow-covered airstrip, there was a quartering right gusty crosswind. He added that about 100 ft. above the ground, the right wing raised up, and he attempted to correct to no avail. He added that the airplane was about 90° off of course to the left, and he chose to go between two trees. Subsequently, the left wing impacted a tree, separated from the airplane, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. 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 system about 9 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 12 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The pilot landed on runway 26. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N142DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N142DT-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 01, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHNSON GERALD CR-1 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Johnson Gerald CR-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnson-gerald-cr-1) (registry code 05626OC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90-8F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-8f) (registry code 17181, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 881 - Engines: Continental C90-8F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 27, 2018 - Departed: Sharon Springs, NY - Destination: Altamont, NY - Airport: Private, runway 26, 2,400 × 70 ft, snow - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 587 total, 288 in this make and model, 549 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 12.5 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KSCH, 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 20180311001919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180311001919A), Mar 11, 2018: Johnson Gerald CR-1, Altamont, NY, Destroyed. On 03/11/2018, N142DT attempted landing on private airstrip. Aircraft turned approximately 90 degrees from runway and contacted trees with left wing which… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96857. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 821 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 687 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-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.