# NTSB IAD98LA006: Aviat A-1, N9614B, Duxbury, MA, October 19, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1997, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Duxbury, MA
- Location: 42.0444° N, 70.6792° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Duxbury, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0444&lon=-70.6792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA006

## Probable cause

Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane.  A related factor was the wind gusts.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

During taxiing after landing to the west on a private, up-sloping grass field, the pilot added some power to make a 180 degree left turn to park the airplane.  As he started the turn with left rudder and left toe brake, a strong wind gust caught the airplane, and the airplane nosed over.  He said the winds were from the east at 10 knots with wind gusts to 18 knots.  He said there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented, 'by cutting the engine after roll out and turning the aircraft around by hand.'

## Factual narrative

On October 19, 1997, at 1130 eastern daylight time, an Aviat Inc. A-1, N9614B, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during taxiing after landing at a private airstrip in Duxbury, Massachusetts.   The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The local, personal flight originated at Cranland, Massachusetts, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he successfully landed to the west, at a private, upsloping grass field.  He said that after roll-out, he added some power to make a 180 degree left turn to park the airplane.  As he started the turn with left rudder and left toe brake, a strong gust of wind caught the wing, and the airplane nosed over.

The pilot reported the winds from the east at 10 knots with wind gusts to 18 knots.

The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented, "by cutting the engine after roll out and turning the aircraft around by hand."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9614B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9614B-2004-05-11), registration cancelled 2004-05-11, S/N 1176, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aviat A-1
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1) (registry code 2210302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1176
- Airframe hours: 717
- Engines: Lycoming O-360C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James M Horan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1997, 15 hours before
- Departed: MA02, CRANLAND, MA
- Destination: NONE, MA
- Airport: NONE, runway 27, 1,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,499 total, 671 in this make and model, 1,499 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19971019046319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971019046319A), Oct 19, 1997: Chris A1, Mansfield, MA, No damage. (-23) Departed Mansfield (1B9) at approx 0930 EDT to planned landing in field, 125 standish st., duxbury, MA. After landing taxied approx 500 ft. then a gust…

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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