# NTSB LAX05LA236: Sergent Great Lakes 2T1A, N24LR, Phoenix, AZ, July 16, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2005, 05:35 local (12:35 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.721668, -112.082496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7217&lon=-112.0825&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 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61993 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61993/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA236 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop and nose over of the airplane. ## 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 - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The experimental tail wheel equipped airplane ground looped and nosed over during landing. According to the pilot, the airplane bounced slightly upon touchdown, and as it settled to the ground the second time, the airplane lurched to the right. The pilot added power and more left rudder, but that failed to correct the deviation. The airplane departed the runway, nosed over, and landed upside down. The right main landing gear wheel left a tire skid mark on the runway surface. The wind was reported at 7 knots and 20 degrees to the right from the runway centerline. The pilot said he believed that the right brake locked up on landing. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2005, about 0535 mountain standard time, an experimental Sergent Great Lakes 2T1A, N24LR, nosed over during landing on runway 7L at Phoenix-Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Deer Valley about 0530. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He stated that the approach for the first landing was normal, and the airplane was on centerline. The tail wheel equipped airplane bounced slightly upon touchdown. About 1/2 second after the wheels settled, the airplane lurched to the right. He added power and more left rudder, but that failed to correct the deviation. The airplane departed the runway, flipped forward, and landed upside down. The pilot secured the master switch and fuel supply. He released the five-point harness, and exited the airplane. The pilot stated that the first person on scene was a retired army airport fireman. The retiree noted that there were skid marks on the runway from the point of touchdown of the right main landing gear to the point where that gear left the runway. The pilot did not recall using the brakes at all, and believed the right brake locked up during landing. The pilot reported accumulating a total of 892 hours of flight time, of which 18 hours were logged in the accident airplane make and model. Of the 18 total hours in the Great Lakes, only 2 were accumulated as the pilot-in-command. He reported having a tail wheel endorsement. The weather observation facility located at the airport reported the wind from 090 degrees at 7 knots at 0553. Chapter 8 of the FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8033-3A), under the section titled "Ground Loop," indicates that a ground loop is an "uncontrolled turn during ground operations that may occur while taxiing for takeoff, but especially during the after-landing roll. Drift or weathervaning does not always cause a ground loop, although these things may cause the initial swerve. Careless use of the rudder, and uneven ground surface, or a soft spot that retards on main wheel of the airplane may also cause a swerve." ## Aircraft - Registration: N24LR (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Sergent Great Lakes 2T1A - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7226-E-563 - Airframe hours: 343 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack Sipperley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2005, 19 hours before - Departed: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Airport: DVT, Phoenix-Deer Valley, runway 7L, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2004; seat: rear; flight hours: 892 total, 18 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: DVT ## 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 20050716019889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050716019889A), Jul 16, 2005: Grtlks 2T1A, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that following a "slight skip" on landing, the aircraft touched down in a normal manner but then began immediately veering to the right.… 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.