# NTSB LAX08CA006: Aviat A-1, N9620Z, Arroyo Grande, CA, October 7, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 7, 2007, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Arroyo Grande, CA
- Coordinates: 35.1833333333333, -120.366666666667
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1833&lon=-120.3667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (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): 66857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA006

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged altitude and distance on the approach that led to an undershoot and inadequate obstacle clearance.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance/altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The pilot was landing in a field owned by an acquaintance, and nearing touchdown, the main landing gear contacted the top of a wire fence and the left wing impacted a wooden fence post.  When the airplane settled on the ground, both landing gears collapsed and the propeller impacted the ground.  The airplane came to rest about 25 feet past the fence.  The pilot said there were no preimapct mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Factual narrative

On October 7, 2007, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, an Aviat A-1 Husky, N9620Z, collided with a fence during landing at a private airstrip near Arroyo Grande, California.  The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The local personal fight departed Santa Maria Public Airport, Santa Maria, California, about 1124, with a planned destination of the airstrip in Arroyo Grande.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated that he intended on landing in a field owned by an acquaintance.  At 5 feet above ground level, the main landing gear contacted the top of a wire fence and the left wing impacted a wooden fence post.  When the airplane settled on the ground, both landing gears collapsed and the propeller impacted the ground.  The airplane came to rest about 25 feet past the fence.  The airplane sustained substantial damage including twisting damage to the fuselage frame.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9620Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9620Z), registered now, S/N 1195, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aviat A-1
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1) (registry code 2210302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1195
- Airframe hours: 1890
- Engines: Textron Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007
- Departed: SMX, Santa Maria, CA
- Destination: NONE, Arroyo Grande, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 4,276 total, 1,890 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: SBP, 13 nm away

## 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 20071007825259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071007825259A), Oct 7, 2007: Chris A1, San Luis Obisp, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated he was attempting to land in a field landing strip on a ranch that he frequently used. His landing approach was low, therefore, the main…

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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