# NTSB LAX07CA249: Aviat Husky A-1B, Moab, UT, August 15, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 14, 2007, 18:00 local (Aug 15, 2007, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Moab, UT
- Coordinates: 38.755001, -109.754722
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7550&lon=-109.7547&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66447/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA249

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control that resulted in a ground loop.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

One of the conventional gear airplane's main wheels encountered low vegetation during the takeoff ground roll and the aircraft ground looped.  The pilot positioned the airplane at the southeast end of the runway, facing northwest for departure using the full length of  runway 32.  During the takeoff run, the pilot moved the airplane to the left edge of the runway centerline to avoid a patch of mud on the runway.  Just before rotation speed, the left main wheel got caught in the low brush vegetation and uneven ground at the edge of the runway.  The pilot cut the power and applied full right rudder, but the airplane continued to turn to the left off the runway until the right wing tip impacted the ground, and stopped the airplane.

## Factual narrative

One of the airplane's main wheels encountered low vegetation during the takeoff ground roll and the aircraft ground looped.  The pilot positioned airplane at the southeast end of the runway, facing northwest for departure using the full length of  runway 32.  During the takeoff run, the pilot moved the airplane to the left edge of the runway centerline to avoid a patch of mud on the runway.  Just before rotation speed, the left main wheel got caught in the low brush vegetation and uneven ground at the edge of the runway.  The pilot cut the power, and applied full right rudder, but the airplane continued to turn to the left off the runway until the right wing tip impacted the ground, and stopped the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: C-GTHY (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Aviat Husky A-1B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2120
- Airframe hours: 487
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007
- Departed: CNY, Moab, UT
- Destination: CNY, Moab, UT
- Airport: UT75, Mineral Canyon Strip Airport, runway 32, 2,000 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial, foreign, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 875 total, 315 in this make and model, 82 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: CNY, 17 nm away

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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