# NTSB LAX96LA312: Ryan ST3KR, N57011, Vacaville, CA, August 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1996, 18:50 local (Aug 19, 1996, 01:50 UTC) - Place: Vacaville, CA - Coordinates: 38.349468, -121.93087 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3495&lon=-121.9309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29540/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA312 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing rollout. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - object - wall/barricade - maneuver to avoid obstructions - intentional, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - wall/barricade ## Analysis The pilot stated that the touchdown and initial landing rollout were normal. As the aircraft slowed to 20 mph the aircraft started an arc to the right. The pilot stated that full left rudder and brake 'made the arc tighten to the right...(and)...I released the left brake and applied a little right brake.' The arc began to lessen, but not enough to prevent the aircraft from leaving the runway and heading for a drainage culvert. The pilot was concerned about the aircraft striking the culvert and nosing over onto its back so he intentionally 'stepped hard on the right rudder and brake to purposely ground loop.' During the ground loop, the aircraft wing struck a concrete barrier above the drainage culvert. The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector who reported that he did not observe any damage or defect of the landing gear or brakes not related to the impact sequence. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 1996, at 1850 hours Pacific daylight time, a Ryan ST3KR, N57011, veered off the runway and ground looped on landing at the Nuttree Airport, Vacaville, California. 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 sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at Red Bluff, California, at 1745 hours as a flight to Vacaville. In his written report, the pilot stated that the touchdown and initial landing rollout were normal. As the aircraft slowed to 20 mph the aircraft started an arc to the right. The pilot stated that full left rudder and brake "made the arc tighten to the right...(and)...I released the left brake and applied a little right brake." The arc began to lessen, but not enough to prevent the aircraft from leaving the runway and heading for a drainage culvert. The pilot was concerned about the aircraft striking the culvert and nosing over onto its back so he intentionally "stepped hard on the right rudder and brake to purposely ground loop." During the ground loop, the aircraft wing struck a concrete barrier above the drainage culvert. The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector from the Sacramento, California, Flight Standards District Office. He reported that he did not observe any damage or defect of the landing gear or brakes not related to the impact sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57011](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57011-2008-05-16), registration cancelled 2008-05-16, S/N 1794, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ryan ST3KR - Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1794 - Airframe hours: 2529 - Engines: Kinner R-55 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary W. Niva - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1996, 16 hours before - Departed: RBL, RED BLUFF, CA - Destination: O45 - Airport: O45, Nut Tree, runway 20, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,008 total, 38 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F 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.