# NTSB LAX93LA305: Ayres Pitts MA-1, N81999, Greenfield, CA, July 5, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1993, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Greenfield, CA - Coordinates: 36.259948, -121.370712 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2599&lon=-121.3707&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 26, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28436/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA305 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll and subsequent application of excessive braking that resulted in the airplane nosing over. ## 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) - Nose over, landing - roll - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS LANDING A TAIL WHEEL AIRPLANE ON A PRIVATE GRAVEL AIRSTRIP. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT RUDDER TO MAINTAIN THE RUNWAY HEADING. THE AIRPLANE THEN VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID SOFT TERRAIN, THE PILOT APPLIED EXCESSIVE BRAKING AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. ## Factual narrative On July, 5, 1993, about 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, an Ayers, Pitts MA-1, N81999, crashed during landing at Metz Field, a private airstrip near Greenfield, California. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area flight when the accident occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Metz Field about 1030 hours. The pilot reported that he landed on the gravel runway to the north, and applied left rudder to maintain the runway heading during the landing roll. When the pilot applied left rudder, the airplane veered to the left and off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied aft elevator pressure and hard braking to avoid soft terrain. The airplane then nosed over. The pilot holds a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument airplane ratings. The most recent second class medical certificate was issued to the pilot on February 8, 1993, and contained no limitations. According to the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, his total aeronautical experience consists of about 909 hours, of which 97 were accrued in the accident aircraft make and model. In the preceding 90 and 30 days prior to the accident, the report lists a total of 52 and 23 hours, respectively, flown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81999](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81999), registered now, S/N 101-A, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ayres PITTS MA-1 - Registry model: [Ayers PITTS SPECIAL MA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayers-pitts-special-ma-1) (registry code 7220512) (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: 101-A - Airframe hours: 420 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G4 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George Britcliffe - Registered owner: George Britcliffe - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1993, 6 hours before - Airport: Metz Field, runway 31, 3,400 × 80 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 909 total, 97 in this make and model, 814 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 8 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F ## 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 19930705029029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930705029029A), Jul 5, 1993: Emair MA1, Greenfield, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing veered off runway. Nosed over. 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.