# NTSB LAX97LA228: Aviat A-1, N13HU, Novato, CA, July 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1997, 17:15 local (Jul 2, 1997, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Novato, CA - Coordinates: 38.099674, -122.629013 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0997&lon=-122.6290&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29824 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29824/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA228 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The gusty crosswind condition was a related factor. ## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was landing on runway 31, when the aircraft encountered a crosswind gust. The aircraft then veered off the right side of the runway and went into a drainage ditch as it slowed almost to a stop. When the aircraft contacted the bottom of the ditch, it nosed over onto its back. No mechanical discrepancies were observed by FAA inspectors who examined the aircraft. Examination of runway 31 revealed marks which began near the right side of the runway at 1,934 feet from the approach end. At a distance of 2,110 feet, tire tracks departed the right side of the runway and continued 120 feet until terminating at the drainage ditch. The 25-foot-wide by 6-foot-deep drainage canal paralleled the runway and was 45 feet from the runway edge. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1997, at 1715 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aviat Aircraft A-1 Husky, N13HU, veered off the right side of runway 31 while landing at Gnoss Field, Novato, California. The aircraft encountered a drainage ditch and subsequently nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included winds from 210 degrees at 15 knots. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated at Logan, Utah, on the day of the accident at 1345 mountain standard time as a personal cross-country flight to Novato. The pilot did not respond to requests from the Safety Board for information regarding this accident. In a report to his insurance company, the pilot stated that he was landing on runway 31 and encountered a crosswind gust. The aircraft then veered off the right side of the runway and ran into a drainage ditch as the pilot had slowed to nearly a stop. When the aircraft contacted the bottom of the ditch, it nosed over onto its back. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors from the Oakland, California, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft, the runway, and the drainage canal. The aircraft sustained damage to both wing spars and the vertical stabilizer. No mechanical discrepancies were observed by the inspectors. Examination of runway 31 revealed two parallel 30-foot-long skid marks which began near the right side of the runway at 1,934 feet from the approach end. A right side only skid mark about 30 feet long and near the right side of the pavement was observed starting at 2,003 feet from the runway end. Two additional right side only skid marks were observed starting at 2,038 and 2,083 feet, respectively. At a distance of 2,110 feet, the tire tracks departed the right side of the runway and continued 120 feet until terminating at the drainage ditch. The 25-foot-wide by 6-foot-deep drainage canal parallels the runway and is 45 feet from the runway edge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13HU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13HU), registered now, S/N 1323 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A-1 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1) (registry code 2210400) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1323 - Airframe hours: 25 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Christopher T. Condy - Registered owner: Harris Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1997, 25 hours before - Departed: LGU, LOGAN, UT - Destination: 056 - Airport: 056, Gnoss Field, runway 31, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 800 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 15 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: STS, 45 nm away ## 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 19970701016389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970701016389A), Jul 1, 1997: Chris A1, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off the runway after landing, went into a ditch and came to rest inverted. (.19) on July 1, 1997, at 1715 hours pacific daylight time, an Aviat… ## Other investigations on N13HU (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA02LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA156), Aug 8, 2002: Aviat A1 (N13HU), Merritt Island, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout while landing in a crosswind which resulted in the airplane inadvertently veering off the runway and incurring damage… 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.