# NTSB LAX99LA119: Gallob Rans S4, N199AG, Mesa, AZ, March 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 1999, 13:38 local (20:38 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.51065, -111.580947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5106&lon=-111.5809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45897 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45897/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the existing crosswind condition and to maintain lateral control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb ## Analysis The pilot had taken off from the airport to remain in the pattern for touch-and-go's on runway 22R. The pilot had already completed two touch-and-go landings, and was on the third takeoff. He said a gust of wind caused the aircraft to become airborne as he lifted the tail. The aircraft then went into a steep right bank and turned right at approximately 10 feet agl. The airplane drifted off the runway and the right wingtip contacted the ground, which caused the airplane to nose down and cartwheel. The pilot told investigators that he was holding full left aileron from the moment he noticed the left wing liftoff the ground, with no effect. The FAA examined the airplane and said it appeared to be rigged properly. The winds reported at the airport at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 1999, at 1338 hours mountain standard time, a Gallob Rans S4, N199AG, lost directional control during a touch-and-go landing and subsequently ground looped at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, who was also the owner/builder of the aircraft, sustained minor injuries. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The purpose of the flight was to practice touch-and-go's at the airport. The pilot did not file a flight plan for the local flight and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated in Mesa at 1300. The pilot stated he had already completed two previous touch-and-go landings on runway 22 when he was attempting his third takeoff. He said a gust of wind caused the aircraft to become airborne as he lifted the tail. He said the left wing lifted into the air and he was unable to regain level flight. The pilot said in his written statement that the aircraft went into a steep right bank and turned right at approximately 10 feet above ground level (agl). Additionally, he said at 20 feet or so to the right of the runway, the right wingtip struck the ground. The aircraft nosed down; cartwheeled, and nosed over. He estimated that the airplane was going about 30-40 mph when this occurred. The pilot said he was holding full left aileron from the moment the left wing came up, with no effect. The pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that he had noticed this tendency before, but that he was always able to make control inputs to correct it. The winds reported at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot told FAA inspectors during his initial discussion concerning the accident that he thought the winds were gusting to 9-12 knots. FAA airworthiness inspectors examined the aircraft and said that it appeared to be rigged properly. The pilot noted on the Pilot/Operator report section, which asked for an operator/owner safety recommendation, that he "should have asked for an update of winds on each final approach." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N199AG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N199AG-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 93199, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gallob RANS S4 - Registry model: [Gallob ART RANS S4](https://openairdocs.org/model/gallob-art-rans-s4) (registry code 05601PR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 93199 - Airframe hours: 76 - Engines: Rotax 503 46 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Arthur J. Gallob - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1998, 43 hours before - Departed: FFZ - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 22R, 3,801 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 343 total, 76 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FFZ, 1 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 19990314002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990314002199A), Mar 14, 1999: Amtr RANSS4, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Acft ground looped after landing and went off the right side of the rwy. (.19)on March 14, 1999, at 1338 hours mountain standard time, a gallob rans S4,… 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.