# NTSB GAA18CA182: Heinlein George GH125, N79GH, Valkaria, FL, February 8, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 8, 2018, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Valkaria, FL - Coordinates: 27.961389, -80.559722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9614&lon=-80.5597&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 July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96939 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96939/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96939 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA182 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to exit the paved runway into soft terrain, which resulted in a ground loop and landing gear collapse. ## 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: [Heinlein George GH125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05624Z7), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Heinlein George GH125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05624Z7), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Heinlein George GH125, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05624Z7), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Heinlein George GH125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05624Z7), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Heinlein George GH125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05624Z7), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Heinlein George GH125, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05624Z7), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Heinlein George GH125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05624Z7), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he exited the runway as soon as possible due to student traffic in the pattern. The runway had no parallel taxiway, and he underestimated the softness of the terrain next to the runway. He added that the right main landing gear dug in, the airplane ground looped, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose-down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he should have stayed on the paved runway until reaching the taxiway exit. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, after landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he exited the runway as soon as possible due to student traffic in the pattern, but the runway had no parallel taxiway, and he underestimated the softness of the terrain next to the runway. He added, the right main landing gear dug in, the airplane ground looped, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he should have stayed on the paved runway until reaching the taxiway exit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79GH-2019-12-02), registration cancelled 2019-12-02, S/N 01, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HEINLEIN GEORGE GH125 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Heinlein George GH125](https://openairdocs.org/model/heinlein-george-gh125) (registry code 05624Z7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Year built: 1993 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-G 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: X59, Valkaria, FL - Destination: X59, Valkaria, FL - Airport: X59, Valkaria, runway 10, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KMLB, 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 20180208002169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180208002169A), Feb 8, 2018: Heinlein George GH125, Valkaria, FL, Substantial damage. On 02/08/2018, after purchasing a bakeng deuce (homebuilt) aircraft, the pilot was practicing takeoffs & landings. There was heavy traffic of student pilots… ## Other investigations on N79GH (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA11LA519](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA519), Sep 19, 2011: Heinlein George GH125 (N79GH), Okeechobee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The non-certificated pilot's improper flare on an earlier flight, which resulted in a hard landing, fracture of the right main landing gear bolt, and subsequent collapse of the right main landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96939. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 900 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.