# NTSB GAA19CA325: Aviat A1, N35AH, Pingree, ID, June 9, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 9, 2019, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Pingree, ID
- Coordinates: 43.117221, -112.60778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1172&lon=-112.6078&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99582/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99582
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA325

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper rudder application during landing on a dirt airstrip, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and subsequent nose-over

## 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: [Aviat A-1B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2210406), [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: [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)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: water/moisture](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022057): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022057/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022057/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); 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)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on a private, dirt airstrip, he lost sight of the airstrip, and the airplane veered left. Concerned the airplane would ground loop, he applied minimal right rudder. He then chose to abort the landing and applied full power. As the airplane was about to become airborne, it exited the runway to the left, and the main landing gear encountered water. The pilot reduced the engine power to idle, and the airplane nosed over. 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.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on a private, dirt airstrip, he lost sight of the airstrip and the airplane veered left. Concerned the airplane would ground loop, he applied minimal right rudder. Then he chose to abort the landing and applied full power. As the airplane was about to become airborne, the airplane exited the runway to the left and the main landing gear encountered water. He reduced the engine power to idle and the airplane nosed over. 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35AH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35AH), registered now, S/N 2417, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aviat A1 (B)
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1D6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1d6) (registry code 41822, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2417
- Year built: 2007
- Airframe hours: 608.7
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 2019
- Departed: 1U7, Paris, ID
- Destination: PVT, Pingree, ID
- Airport: PVT, Private Field, runway 21, 4,000 × 60 ft, dirt
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,230.5 total, 78.4 in this make and model, 1,185.1 as pilot in command, 41.2 in the last 90 days, 21.3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.48 inHg
- Observed at: KPIH, 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 20190609006269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190609006269A), Jun 9, 2019: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B, Pingree, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot landed at unfamiliar airstrip. The airstrip had a sharp slope in the direction of landing (210) which made maintaining a sight-picture of the length of…

## Other investigations on N35AH (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 WPR22LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA139), Mar 30, 2022: Aviat A-1B (N35AH), Swan Valley, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the landing roll on a snow-covered runway surface.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99582. 768 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 533 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474281&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474282&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474283&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.

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