# NTSB LAX04CA036: R. James Thorne Nieuport 12, N124TK, Chandler, AZ, November 6, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 6, 2003, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.269165, -111.81111
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2692&lon=-111.8111&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA036

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure 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 - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane ground looped and veered off the runway during the landing roll.  During the landing roll, the airplane began turning to the right.  The pilot applied correction to the left; however, the airplane departed the runway.  As the airplane traveled back onto the pavement, one of the wheels bent and stopped the forward motion.  The airplane then rolled forward and damaged the propeller.  The lower left wing was also bent during the accident sequence.  The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On November 6, 2003, at 0915 mountain standard time, a Thorne Nieuport 12 experimental biplane, N124TK, veered off of the runway during the landing roll at the Chandler, Arizona, airport.  The pilot/owner was operating the flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The flight departed Chandler about 0900 for the personal, local flight in the pattern.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane began turning to the right.  He applied correction to the left; however, the airplane departed the runway.  As the airplane traveled back onto the pavement, one of the wheels bent and stopped the forward motion.  The airplane then rolled forward and damaged the propeller.  The left lower wing was also bent during the accident sequence.  The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N124TK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124TK-2017-07-13), registration cancelled 2017-07-13, S/N 084, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: R. James Thorne Nieuport 12
- Registry model: [Thorne R James NIEUPORT 12](https://openairdocs.org/model/thorne-r-james-nieuport-12) (registry code 056119J) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 084
- Engines: Continental C-85 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. James Thorne
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: CHD, Chandler, CA
- Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal, runway 04

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 500 total, 90 in this make and model, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20031106028479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031106028479A), Nov 6, 2003: Amtr NIEUPORT12, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was performing a series of touch and go landings on runway 04 left. The pilot was instructed to go around on the first landing by control tower…

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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