# NTSB GAA18CA336: Aviat A 1, N352AM, Renton, WA, June 10, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 10, 2018, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Renton, WA - Coordinates: 47.505279, -122.219444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5053&lon=-122.2194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97451 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97451/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97451 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA336 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate crosswind correction, which resulted in the right wing impacting the water’s surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210406), [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: [Aviat A-1B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2210406), [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: [Aviat A-1B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: choppy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a tower-controlled waterway in gusting crosswind conditions, he felt the wind direction shift as the airplane started to lift off. He added that a strong wind gust then lifted the left wing, and the right wing dipped and impacted the water. He reduced power and shut the engine off. The impact had damaged the float connecting rod. The airplane came to rest upright on both floats, but the left float then separated from the fuselage, and the airplane sank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left 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 about 1 nautical mile from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 7 knots with thunderstorms in the vicinity. According to the pilot, the tower had reported the possibility of gusts up to 20 knots. The pilot was departing the waterway to the east/southeast. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff on a tower controlled waterway in gusting crosswind conditions, he felt the wind direction shift as the airplane started to lift off. He added that a strong gust of wind then lifted the left wing, and the right wing dipped and impacted the water. He reduced power and shut the engine off. The impact had damaged the float connecting rod. The airplane came to rest upright on both floats, but the left float then separated from the fuselage, and the airplane sank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left 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 about 1 nautical mile from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 7 knots with thunderstorms in the vicinity. According to the pilot, the tower had reported the possibility of gusts up to 20 knots. The pilot was departing the waterway to the east/southeast. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N352AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N352AM), registered now, S/N 2252, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A 1 (B) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2252 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 1120 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: W36, Renton, WA - Destination: Victoria - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: W36, Will Rogers Wiley Post Memoria, runway 12, 5,000 × 200 ft, water - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 3, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,103 total, 1,088 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KRNT, 1 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 20180610015449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180610015449A), Jun 10, 2018: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B, Renton, WA, Substantial damage. 06/10/18 Call from regional operations center at approximately 15:30. Husky floatplane struck wing in water upon take off. And ground looped causing damage to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97451. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 776 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.