# NTSB GAA19CA075: Darren M. Vinelli Sopwith PUP, N1916Z, Rio Vista, CA, November 26, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 26, 2018, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Rio Vista, CA - Coordinates: 38.193332, -121.703613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1933&lon=-121.7036&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 September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98685 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98685/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98685 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting tailwind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635VY), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05635VY), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05635VY), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05635VY), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=05635VY), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05635VY), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05635VY), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05635VY), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05635VY), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane encountered a variable crosswind gust, and the left wing lifted. He was able to keep the airplane on the runway and established a landing roll. The ground speed was about 20 mph, and the airplane encountered another wind gust. The airplane weather-vaned to the left, exited the left side of the runway, rolled into mud, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind at the time of the accident was variable at 5 knots, gusting to 8 knots. A METAR at the nearest airport about 12 miles west of the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 020° at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 25. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing, the airplane encountered a variable crosswind gust and the left wing lifted. He was able to keep the airplane on the runway and established a landing roll. The ground speed was about 20 miles per hour and the airplane encountered another wind gust. The airplane weathervaned to the left and exited the left side of the runway, rolled into mud and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that the wind at the time of the accident was variable at 5 knots and gusting to 8 knots. The METAR at the nearest airport was about 12 miles to the west of the accident site, and reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was out from 02 at 6 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 25. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1916Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1916Z), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Darren M. Vinelli Sopwith PUP - Registry model: [Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP](https://openairdocs.org/model/vinelli-darren-m-sopwith-pup) (registry code 05635VY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 78 - Engines: Lycoming O-290G 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 28, 2018 - Departed: O88, Rio Vista, CA - Destination: O88, Rio Vista, CA - Airport: O88, Rio Vista Muni, runway 25, 4,199 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2017; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 535 total, 79 in this make and model, 459 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KSUU, 12 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 20181126017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181126017699A), Nov 26, 2018: Vinelli Darren M SOPWITH PUP, Rio Vista, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft turned sharply upon touchdown, collapsing the left MLG, and flipping it over. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98685. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473368&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 392 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473369&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.