# NTSB LAX93LA292: Sanders S-1C, N128DS, Saint Johns, AZ, July 17, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1993, 10:24 local (17:24 UTC) - Place: Saint Johns, AZ - Coordinates: 34.559757, -109.329765 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5598&lon=-109.3298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28429 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28429/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA292 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing cross wind conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - berm - object - runway light - object - fence ## Analysis Ground witnesses observed the aircraft on short final for runway 32 with a 50 degree left cross wind at 12 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The witnesses stated that on very short final, control of the aircraft seemed to be lost and it collided with a berm and a fence off the right side of the runway. The pilot said that when he arrived over the airport the UNICOM was reporting winds from 280 at 10 to 15 knots. The pilot stated that just after touchdown he 'received a hard gust from the left.' He reported that the aircraft lifted and started to move to the right, then it hit a runway light. The pilot said he applied power in an attempt to go around; however, the landing gear hit an embankment off the right side of the runway. The aircraft became airborne, hopped over a fence, rolled to the right and cart wheeled to an inverted resting position. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1993, at 1024 Mountain standard time, a homebuilt experimental Sanders Pitts S1C, N128DS, crashed during landing at Saint Johns, Arizona, following a loss of control. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the cross country personal flight. The aircraft was destroyed in the ground collision sequence. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at Show Low, Arizona, on the day of the mishap at about 1000 hours. Ground witnesses observed the aircraft on short final for runway 32 at the Saint Johns airport with a 50 degree left cross wind at 12 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The witnesses stated that on very short final, control of the aircraft seemed to be lost and it collided with a berm and a fence off the right side of the runway. In his statement, the pilot said the UNICOM was reporting winds from 280 at 10 to 15 knots. The pilot stated that just after touchdown he "received a hard gust from the left." He reported that the aircraft lifted and started to move to the right, then it hit a runway light. The pilot said he applied power in an attempt to go around; however, the landing gear hit an embankment off the right side of the runway. The aircraft became airborne, hopped over a fence, rolled to the right and cart wheeled to an inverted resting position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N128DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N128DS-2011-05-25), registration cancelled 2011-05-25, S/N 672-H, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SANDERS S-1C - Registry model: [Sanders Douglas R PITTS S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/sanders-douglas-r-pitts-s-1) (registry code 72207B2) (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: 672-H - Airframe hours: 86 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290G reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas R. Sanders - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1993, 1 hours before - Departed: SOW, SHOW LOW, AZ - Airport: SJN, St Johns Industr'L Airprk, runway 32, 5,223 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 552 total, 92 in this make and model, 486 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SJN ## 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 19930717024189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930717024189A), Jul 17, 1993: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, St Johns, AZ, Destroyed. Wind blew aircraft off runway alignment on short final. Began go around. Hopped a fence,rolled and cartwheeled. 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.