# NTSB LAX92LA318: Chapuis Spezio Sport, N7715, Wells, NV, July 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1992, 18:30 local (Jul 28, 1992, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Wells, NV
- Coordinates: 41.350936, -114.800926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3509&lon=-114.8009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA318
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA318

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE VARIABLE AND GUSTY NATURE OF THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE AIRPORT.

## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE CONTACTED UNICOM FOR WEATHER AND RUNWAY ADVISORIES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDS WERE VARIABLE AT ABOUT 12 KNOTS, FAVORING RUNWAY 26. THE PILOT NOTED THAT BELOW 400 FEET AGL THE AIR WAS VERY TURBULENT AND GUSTY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS FIRST LANDING ATTEMPT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, WITH THE AIRCRAFT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO THE WIND CONDITIONS.  THE PILOT INITIATED A GO AROUND AND FOUND THAT SIMILAR WIND CONDITIONS EXISTED ON THE SECOND APPROACH. DURING THE SECOND LANDING THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED ON TOUCHDOWN AND THE PILOT SAID 'THE RIGHT WING CAME UP AND I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.' THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT AND GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7715](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7715), registered now, S/N 181 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAPUIS SPEZIO SPORT (SPEZIO SPO)
- Registry model: [Marcel J Chapuis SPEZIO SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/marcel-j-chapuis-spezio-sport) (registry code 0560181) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 181
- Airframe hours: 164
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G4 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George H. Collins
- Registered owner: George H. Collins
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: EKO, ELKO, NV
- Airport: LWL, Hariet Field, runway 26, 5,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 195 total, 55 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920727027629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920727027629A), Jul 27, 1992: Amtrsp SPEZIOTUHOLE, Wells, NV, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped on landing. Reported turbulence and seeing dust devil three miles from airport.

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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