# NTSB GAA19CA147: Porterfield CP 65, N37716, Aberdeen, SD, February 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 23, 2019, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Aberdeen, SD - Coordinates: 45.534721, -98.613052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5347&lon=-98.6131&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99019/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99019 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA147 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Porterfield CP-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=6480118), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Porterfield CP-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=6480118), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Porterfield CP-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=6480118), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Porterfield CP-65, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=6480118), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a touch-and-go landing on a frozen lake, the airplane struck a "drift of deep snow" and came to rest inverted. He added that he did not see the snow drift before landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during a touch and go landing on a frozen lake, the airplane struck a "drift of deep snow" and came to rest inverted. He added that he did not see the snow drift before landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37716](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37716), registered now, S/N 945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Porterfield CP 65 (No Series) - Registry model: [Porterfield CP-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/porterfield-cp-65) (registry code 6480118) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 945 - Year built: 1941 - Airframe hours: 3609 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 2018 - Departed: ABR, Aberdeen, SD - Destination: ABR, Aberdeen, SD - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,375 total, 150 in this make and model, 10,275 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 8 knots - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KABR, 10 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 20190223010479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190223010479A), Feb 23, 2019: Porterfield CP-65, Aberdeen, SD, Substantial damage. Pilot opted to perform a touch & go maneuver on the frozen lake richmond 8 miles nw of Aberdeen, SD. Snow was deeper than expected. Upon touchdown, wheels sank… ## Other investigations on N37716 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC77FFJ15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FFJ15), Apr 12, 1977: Porterfield CP-65 (N37716), Hilton, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99019. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471417&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471418&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.