# NTSB GAA19CA059: Eugene Wells Dragon Fly-B, N5023G, Kailua/Kona, HI, November 13, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 13, 2018, 11:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Kailua/Kona, HI - Coordinates: 19.736944, -156.04306 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.7369&lon=-156.0431&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 June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98635/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98635 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a crosswind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in tailwheel airplanes for which he did not have an endorsement. ## 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: [Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0564449), [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: [Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0564449), [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: [Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0564449), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=0564449), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/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: [Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0564449), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0564449), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0564449), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0564449), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the approach, there was "heavy traffic" behind his airplane and a right crosswind. He added that, during a wheel landing, he tried to "maintain speed" to clear the runway, but the airplane began to "fishtail." He added power to regain control, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway, the left wing impacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest in a "lava field." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that the accident was due to pilot error because of his lack of experience in the airplane. He added that he did not have a tailwheel endorsement and had a total of only 3 flight hours experience in tailwheel airplanes with a flight instructor. The airport’s automated weather observation system reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 9 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 17. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the approach, there was "heavy traffic" behind, and a crosswind from the right. During a wheel landing, he tried to "maintain speed" to clear the runway, but the airplane began to "fishtail". He added power to regain control, but the airplane exited the left side of the runway, the left wing impacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest in a "lava field". The pilot further reported the accident was pilot error due to lack of experience in the airplane. He added that he did not have a tailwheel endorsement, and had a total of 3 flight hours in tailwheel airplanes with a certified flight instructor. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 9 knots. The pilot was landing on runway 17. After multiple attempts, the pilot failed to submit the National Transportation Safety Board form 6120.1. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5023G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5023G-2021-05-26), registration cancelled 2021-05-26, S/N 1, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eugene Wells Dragon Fly-B - Registry model: [Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/wells-eugene-dragon-fly-b) (registry code 0564449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Year built: 1979 - Engines: Lycoming reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Destination: KOA, KAILUA/KONA, HI - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KOA, Ellison Onizuka Kona Intl At K, runway 17, 11,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: PHKO ## 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 20181113022519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181113022519A), Nov 13, 2018: Wells Eugene DRAGON FLY-B, Kailua Kona, HI, Substantial damage. Kailua-Kona, Dragon Fly-B, during landing roll out on runway 17, the pilot loss control of the airplane and the airplane statred fishtailing sending the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98635. 832 KB in all. - Accident Picture (item 1, .PDF, 1 photo, 570 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Tailwheel Endorsement (item 3, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470951&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tailwheel%20Endorsement-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.