# NTSB GAA18CA298: Garcia Benigno Baby ACE D, N4207D, St. Johns, AZ, May 23, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2018, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: St. Johns, AZ - Coordinates: 34.519165, -109.377777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5192&lon=-109.3778&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 October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97320 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97320/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97320 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA298 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting, quartering tailwind 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: [Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0030444), [All aircraft, 3,958 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: [Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0030444), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0030444), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=0030444), [All aircraft, 1,199 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: [Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0030444), [All aircraft, 1,008 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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0030444), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0030444), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0030444), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, immediately after landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered left and then right. Subsequently, he applied "heavy" brakes, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway and then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut. 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 located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 3. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, immediately after landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered left and then right. Subsequently, he applied "heavy" brakes, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, and came to rest nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. 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 located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot landed on runway 3. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4207D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4207D), registered now, S/N 346, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GARCIA BENIGNO BABY ACE D (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D](https://openairdocs.org/model/garcia-benigno-baby-ace-d) (registry code 0030444) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 346 - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 602.1 - Engines: Contintental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 19, 2018 - Departed: GNT, Grants, NM - Destination: SJN, St. Johns, AZ - Airport: SJN, St Johns Industrial Air Park, runway 3, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2018; seat: single; flight hours: 900 total, 65 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KSJN ## 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 20180523005829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180523005829A), May 23, 2018: Garcia Benigno BABY ACE D, St Johns, AZ, Substantial damage. On may 23, 2018 at 1737Z, 10:35 a.m. MST; N4207D, an experimental amateur built aircraft known as a Baby Ace D, with an a&c 65 series Continental motors… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97320. 10.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 9.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466335&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 277 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466336&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture%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.