# NTSB LAX98LA285: Mohr EAA Biplane P, N883TM, Gilroy, CA, August 29, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 1998, 18:00 local (Aug 29, 1998, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Gilroy, CA - Coordinates: 37.060878, -121.549018 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0609&lon=-121.5490&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43927 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43927/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA285 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the existing crosswind. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis Witnesses reported that the grass strip is located adjacent to a lake used for water landings. They stated that wind direction was 90 degrees from the runway at 20 knots, and the pilot was landing on runway 23. The witnesses reported that the landing appeared normal, but the pilot was unable to maintain directional control on the landing rollout. Witnesses stated that the pilot attempted a go-around, but ground looped the aircraft which came to rest inverted in the water. The pilot did not notify the authorities that he had been involved in an aircraft accident. The aircraft was moved by the pilot to an unknown location and was unable to be inspected. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 1998, at 1800 hours Pacific daylight time, an experimental Mohr EAA Biplane P, N883TM, veered off grass runway 23 and came to rest inverted at the Frazier Lake Airpark, Hollister, California. The aircraft, operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The noncertificated private pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. One witness, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designated pilot examiner, stated that the grass strip is located adjacent to a lake that is used for water landings. He stated that after the aircraft landed it departed the left side, went into the water, and came to rest inverted. Witnesses to the accident reported that the winds were approximately 90 degrees to the runway at 20 knots. They further stated that the landing was normal, but on the landing rollout the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. Witness stated that the pilot attempted to conduct a go-around, but ground looped the aircraft. Review of the pilot's FAA Airman Certification file disclosed that his private pilot certificate was revoked on October 25, 1988, and his medical certificate was revoked on October 12, 1988. The accident was reported to the Safety Board on September 9, 1998. The location of the aircraft is unknown at this time. The pilot/owner was given a Pilot/Operator's Report Form 6120.1/2, and a copy was sent by certified mail to him with no response. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N883TM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N883TM-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 81283, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mohr EAA BIPLANE P (EAA BIPLAN) - Registry model: [Mohr Thomas J EAA BIPLANE P](https://openairdocs.org/model/mohr-thomas-j-eaa-biplane-p) (registry code 3360345) (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: 81283 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dan Minges - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: UNKNOWN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 1C9, Frazier Lake Airpark, runway 23, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 603 total, 534 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MRY, 32 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 19980828022909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980828022909A), Aug 28, 1998: Amtr EAABIPLANE, Hollister, CA, Substantial damage. (.4) On August 28, 1998, at 1800 hours pacific daylight time, an experimental mohr eaa biplane p, N883TM, veered off grass runway 23 and came to rest inverted… 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.