# NTSB LAX01LA170: Aviat A-1B, N465C, Apex, NV, May 11, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 2001, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Apex, NV
- Coordinates: 36.366664, -114.916664
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3667&lon=-114.9167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA - Flt Standards Dist Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA170

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout in a gusty and crosswind condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot landed his airplane on a dry lake bed.  During rollout a wind gust and crosswind was encountered, he lost directional control, and the airplane ground looped.  The pilot estimated that the wind was between 12 and 20 knots.

## Factual narrative

On May 11, 2001, about 1625 Pacific daylight time, an Aviat A-1B, N465C, ground looped during landing on the Apex dry lake bed, about 22 miles northeast of North Las Vegas, Nevada.  The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot, and it was substantially damaged.  Neither the private pilot nor passenger was injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated from North Las Vegas about 1430.

The pilot initially reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that during landing he encountered a 12- to 15-knot wind gust.  In his subsequent written statement he reported that the wind was 15 to 20 knots.  The pilot also reported that during the landing roll, a wind gust and right crosswind was encountered, which resulted in his losing control of the airplane.  The pilot stated that his airplane "got away from me."  No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N465C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N465C), registered now, S/N 2067, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aviat A-1B
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (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: 2067
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lester Hall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 2001
- Departed: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV
- Destination: Apex, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 21, 1999; seat: front; flight hours: 250 total, 75 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: VGT, 22 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 20010511007309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010511007309A), May 11, 2001: Aviat A1B, Apex, NV, No damage. (-23)Pilot attempted to land at the Apex dry lake bed. On his first pass he made a go around due to his positioning on the dry lake bed. On his second attempt,…

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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