# NTSB LAX98LA266: Piper PA-20, N1540A, Rio Vista, CA, August 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1998, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Rio Vista, CA - Coordinates: 38.180473, -121.730049 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1805&lon=-121.7300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43730/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA266 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the existing wind condition and maintain directional control on 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 - weather condition - gusts - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported the wind condition as variable and gusty. On the landing rollout he was unable to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The aircraft came to rest inverted after standing vertically on its nose. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1998, at 1245 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N1540A, veered off runway 25 after landing and came to rest inverted at the Rio Vista, California, airport. The aircraft, operated under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The airline transport rated pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight that originated from the Reno, Nevada, airport at 1120 on the morning of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported the wind condition as variable and "gusty." After touchdown, a gust of wind pushed the aircraft sideways, and he was unable to control the aircraft. When it hit the dirt beside the runway, the aircraft "tipped up on its nose, then very slowly fell over on its back." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1540A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1540A), registered now, S/N 20-748, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-748 - Airframe hours: 3546 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tim B. Whitney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1998, 86 hours before - Departed: RNO, RENO, NV - Destination: O88 - Airport: O88, Rio Vista, runway 25, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,292 total, 270 in this make and model, 8,823 as pilot in command, 267 in the last 90 days, 97 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SUU, 25 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 19980816020909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980816020909A), Aug 16, 1998: Piper PA20, Rio Vista, CA, Substantial damage. Acft encountered a gust of wind on landing, lost control, and came to rest inverted. (.4) the pilot reported the wind condition as variable and gusty. On the… ## Other investigations on N1540A (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 SEA94LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA180), Jul 15, 1994: Piper PA-20 (N1540A), Easton, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE SOFT, UNEVEN TERRAIN. 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.