# NTSB LAX96LA243: Mini Ace CA61-F, N8221, Byron, CA, June 23, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1996, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Byron, CA
- Coordinates: 37.850769, -121.620552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8508&lon=-121.6206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA243

## Probable cause

The pilot's encounter with a sudden crosswind gust beyond the capabilities of the aircraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - weather condition - gusts
  - aircraft performance,crosswind capability - exceeded (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the aircraft's tiedown spot following landing when a sudden left crosswind gust he estimated at 40 knots blew the aircraft over.

## Factual narrative

On June 23, 1996, at 1530 hours Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt experimental Mini Ace CA61-F, N8221, was blown over during taxi at a private ranch airstrip near Byron, California.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the student pilot for a local area solo instructional flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated at the private airstrip about 1450 on the day of the occurrence.

The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the aircraft's tiedown spot following landing when a sudden left crosswind gust he estimated at 40 knots blew the aircraft over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8221](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8221-1996-08-20), registration cancelled 1996-08-20, S/N DHF001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MINI ACE CA61-F
- Registry model: [Mini Ace CA61-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mini-ace-ca61-f) (registry code 003013G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DHF-001
- Airframe hours: 460
- Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brenford G. Coulter
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1996, 6 hours before
- Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 18, 2,000 × 18 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 87 total, 4 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19960623014989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960623014989A), Jun 23, 1996: Stockton, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft flipped over while taxiing at a private dirt strip.

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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