# NTSB LAX03LA071: Taylorcraft F21, N2005U, Payson, AZ, January 18, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 18, 2003, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.033332, -111.033332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0333&lon=-111.0333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56384 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56384/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA071 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - tree(s) ## Analysis On landing, the airplane veered off the dirt airstrip and collided with a tree. During the landing rollout the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot made an unsuccessful attempt to correct the airplane with the application of brakes and ailerons. He then maneuvered the airplane to avoid a tree; however, the left wing tip struck the tree. The airplane turned 90 degrees from it's original direction of travel and the right landing gear folded underneath the wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On January 18, 2003, at 1215 mountain standard time, a Taylorcraft Aviation Corporation F21, N2005U, ground looped after landing at a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) dirt strip 19 miles southeast of Payson, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from the Payson Airport (PAN), at 1000, and was scheduled to terminate at PAN with planned stops at dirt strips in the area. According to the pilot's written statement, he was going to land at some dirt strips southeast of PAN. The third dirt strip was where the accident occurred. The pilot refers to the landing strip as the "J/X landing strip." The landing strip was not smooth. On the landing rollout the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the situation by applying brakes and ailerons. He maneuvered to avoid a Juniper tree; however, the left wing tip struck the tree. The collision swung the airplane about 90 degrees, and the right landing gear folded under the airplane. The right wing slid along a Juniper tree and the tip broke off. The airplane came to rest upright. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2005U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2005U), registered now, S/N F-1013, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft F21 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft F21](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-f21) (registry code 8850906) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: F1013 - Airframe hours: 1643.01 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas Butler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2002, 54.7 hours before - Departed: PAN, PAYSON, AZ - Destination: PAN - Airport: Pvt Dirt Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 23, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 2,299 total, 2,299 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: DVT, 50 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 20030118000649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030118000649A), Jan 18, 2003: Tcraft F21, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) On January 18, 2003, at 1215 pacific standard time, a Taylorcraft aviation corporation F21, N2005U, ground looped after landing at the rock horse dirt… ## Other investigations on N2005U (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 LAX84LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA291), May 13, 1984: Taylorcraft F21 (N2005U), Payson, AZ, substantial damage 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.