# NTSB LAX05CA123: Peter A. Geiser Lee/Geiser Nieuprt17, N124FG, Chandler, AZ, March 26, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2005, 08:22 local (15:22 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Coordinates: 33.239974, -111.780593 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2400&lon=-111.7806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61213 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61213/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. ## 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 - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The airplane ground looped off the runway after encountering a crosswind and a sudden wind gust during landing rollout on runway 22R. The gust was from 330 degrees about 12 knots. The pilot lost directional control of his experimental biplane, and it veered off the runway. Thereafter, it ground looped and nosed over. The wind had been nearly calm when the pilot initiated the flight. No mechanical malfunction or failure was reported with the airplane. Eight minutes after the accident the local wind was reported from 300 degrees at 12 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2005, about 0822 mountain standard time, a Lee/Geiser Nieuprt17, N124FG, encountered a gusty crosswind during landing rollout on runway 22R at the Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona. The airplane swerved off the runway, ground looped, nosed over and was substantially damaged. The private pilot owned and operated the experimental-homebuilt airplane, and he was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Chandler about 0810. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that when he took off the local wind was nearly calm. However, during landing he encountered a wind gust that came out of nowhere, and he lost control of his conventional gear biplane. The pilot estimated that the gust was from 330 degrees at over 10 knots. Eight minutes later, at 0830, Chandler's reported weather indicated the wind was from 300 degrees at 12 knots, and no gusts were reported. The sky was clear, and the visibility was 40 miles. Runway 22R is 4,401 feet long and 75 feet wide. The pilot did not report experiencing any mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N124FG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124FG-2007-02-23), registration cancelled 2007-02-23, S/N 587, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Peter A. Geiser Lee/Geiser Nieuprt17 - Registry model: [Geiser Nieuport 17 REPLICA](https://openairdocs.org/model/geiser-nieuport-17-replica) (registry code 05623YT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 587 - Engines: Volkswagen Type I 1600cc 63 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peter A. Geiser - Registered owner: Peter A. Geiser - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal, runway 22R, 4,401 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 782 total, 563 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: CHD ## 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 20050326004889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050326004889A), Mar 26, 2005: Amtr NIEUPORT17, Chandler, AZ, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot stated that everything was normal for landing, just when he touched down a gust of crosswind caught the airplane causing a side load on the landing… 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.