# NTSB LAX04CA279: Aviat A-1B, N268DM, Minden, NV, July 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2004, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV - Coordinates: 38.999443, -119.752777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9994&lon=-119.7528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59756 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59756/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA279 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control. The misjudged landing flare and the crosswind were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot misjudged the landing flare, made a hard, bounced wheel landing, lost directional control, and ground looped. Because runway 21 was closed, the pilot had elected to land on its parallel taxiway. During the landing sequence on the 1,500-foot-long taxiway, the pilot increased engine power in an unsuccessful effort at maintaining airplane control. The pilot was aware of the local crosswind condition, which presented up to a 30-degree right crosswind at 14 to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 2004, about 1440 Pacific daylight time, an Aviat Aircraft, Inc., A-1B, N268DM, operated by the pilot-owner, ground looped on landing at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, Minden, Nevada. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot nor passenger was injured during the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated form Redmond, Oregon, about 1130. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that while approaching the uncontrolled airport, where her airplane is based, she was aware of the local wind condition. Because runway 21 was closed, she elected to land on its parallel taxiway. The pilot stated that the taxiway is 1,500 feet long, and she had previously landed on it. On approach, she confirmed the wind direction and speed. The pilot further reported that she made a hard, bounced wheel landing, and increased engine power to recover. Thereafter, she lost directional control of the airplane, and it veered off the pavement, impacted sage brush, and ground looped. According to the pilot, at the time of the mishap the wind direction was between 210 and 240 degrees, at 14 to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N268DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N268DM-2005-05-06), registration cancelled 2005-05-06, S/N 2120, 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: 2120 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sharon L. Davis - Registered owner: Sharon Lynn Davis, Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RDM, Redmond, OR - Destination: MEV, Minden, NV - Airport: MEV, Minden-Tahoe ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 535 total, 271 in this make and model, 77 in the last 90 days, 59 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 20040724015939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040724015939A), Jul 24, 2004: Aviat A1B, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot flew two cross-country flights prior to accident, mostly in turbulent conditions. Upon arriving at home base, the pilot stated that the AWOS… 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.