# NTSB GAA18CA405: Aviat A-1C, N891DC, Dixie, ID, July 6, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2018, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Dixie, ID - Coordinates: 45.514167, -115.442779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5142&lon=-115.4428&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97721 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA405 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97721/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97721 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA405 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach in gusting tailwind conditions, which resulted in a runway overshoot. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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-1C-180, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210410), [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: [Aviat A-1C-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2210410), [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: [Aviat A-1C-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2210410), [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 · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2210410), [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: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during approach to a backcountry, private dirt airstrip, the wind was swirling, and he decided to go around. During the second landing attempt, the airplane descended below the treetops surrounding the airstrip, which prevented the pilot's ability to safely perform a go around, and a wind gust from behind the airplane pushed it past the end of the runway into trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. 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 the wind was variable at 15 knots, gusting to 15 to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during approach to a backcountry, private dirt airstrip, the wind was swirling, and he decided to go around. During the second landing attempt, when the airplane descended below the treetops surrounding the airstrip preventing his ability to safety perform a go around, a wind gust from behind pushed the airplane past the end of the runway into trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. 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 the wind was variable at 15 knots, gusting 15 to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N891DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N891DC-2020-11-06), registration cancelled 2020-11-06, S/N 3202, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C (180) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-180) (registry code 2210410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1p) (registry code 42259, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3202 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 600 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 2017 - Departed: MYL, Mc Call, ID - Destination: PVT, Dixie, ID - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PVT, Private, runway W, 1,300 × 150 ft, dirt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 18, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KGIC, 38 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 20180706009189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180706009189A), Jul 6, 2018: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Dixie, ID, Substantial damage. Overflying the backcountry landing strip around mid-afternoon, the pilot observed light and variable winds. When approaching to land the pilot reported a gust… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97721. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467292&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.