# NTSB LAX02LA080: Great Lakes 2T-1A-1, N502GL, San Diego, CA, February 9, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 9, 2002, 12:21 local (20:21 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.800445, -117.130149 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8004&lon=-117.1301&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-WP-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54182/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54182 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA080 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain directional control after encountering a gust of wind during the landing roll. Factors were the unexpected wind gusts and the soft terrain adjacent to the runway. ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway, a wheel dug into the dirt, and the airplane nosed over. The accident occurred on the pilot's third landing. He made a good 3-point landing just past the numbers. During the landing roll as the airplane slowed to 5 to 10 mph, a gust of wind hit the tail and the airplane swerved off the runway. ## Factual narrative On February 9, 2002, at 1221 Pacific standard time, a Great Lakes 2T-1A-1, N502GL, veered off the side of the runway and nosed over during landing at Montgomery Field, San Diego, California. The private pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Montgomery Field about 1135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that the accident occurred on his third landing. He said he made a good 3-point landing just past the numbers. During the landing roll as the airplane slowed to 5 to 10 mph, a gust of wind hit the tail and the airplane swerved. The airplane veered off the runway, a wheel dug into the dirt, and the airplane nosed over. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N502GL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N502GL), registered now, S/N 0502, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Great Lakes 2T-1A-1 - Registry model: [Great Lakes 2T-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/great-lakes-2t-1a) (registry code 3910106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0502 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Associated Aircraft - Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 2001 - Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA - Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field, runway 28L, 3,399 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 1, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 581 total, 32 in this make and model, 552 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: MYF ## 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 20020209002399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020209002399A), Feb 9, 2002: Grtlks 2T1A, Sandiego, CA, No damage. (-23) On February 9, 2002, N502GL a great lakes aircraft, model 2T-1A was conducting FAR part 91 flight operations. The pilot states that during roll out… ## Other investigations on N502GL (3) 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 WPR12CA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA007), Oct 13, 2011: Great Lakes 2T-1A (N502GL), San Diego, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive brake application during landing. - [NTSB LAX05LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA037), Nov 13, 2004: Great Lakes 2T-1A (N502GL), San Diego, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. - [NTSB LAX75FUM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75FUM03), Aug 10, 1974: GR Lakes 2T-1A (N502GL), Holtville, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54182. 333 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386854&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.