# NTSB MIA02LA156: Aviat A1, N13HU, Merritt Island, FL, August 8, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2002, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Merritt Island, FL - Coordinates: 28.341667, -80.685554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3417&lon=-80.6856&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 6, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55575 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55575/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA156 ## 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 when the pilot forced it into a ground loop to avoid entry into the water. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - maneuver to avoid obstructions - initiated, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had just landed the airplane in a strong crosswind, and during the landing rollout it veered to the right and he attempted to apply left brake control input to maintain directional control but he could not get sufficient braking effect. He said that the airplane was getting close to the water during the rollout so he forced it into a ground loop to avoid entry into the water, and the left wing contacted the ground, and was damaged. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2002, about 1410 eastern daylight time, an Aviat Aircraft Inc. A1, N13HU, registered to and operated by Cruiser Of Florida Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing flight, veered off the runway while landing at Merritt Island, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Merritt Island, the same day, about 1230. The pilot stated that he had just landed the airplane in a strong crosswind, and during the landing rollout it veered to the right. He further stated that as the airplane veered, he attempted to apply left brake control input to maintain directional control but he could not get sufficient braking effect. He said that the airplane was getting close to the water during the rollout so he forced it into a ground loop to avoid entry into the water, and the left wing contacted the ground, and was damaged. The pilot stated that the airplane had been damaged two previous times, and it may have been rigged incorrectly, but added that he had flown it for over 500 hours since, and it had always been difficult to handle in a crosswind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13HU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13HU), registered now, S/N 1323 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A1 - 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: 691 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-36-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cruiser of Florida Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 29, 2002, 64 hours before - Departed: COI, Merrit Island, FL - Airport: COI, Merritt Island, runway 29, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 28, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 4,542 total, 549 in this make and model, 4,301 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MLB, 30 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 20020808026379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020808026379A), Aug 8, 2002: Chris A1, Cocoa, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) After banner towing, the banner was dropped. The landing was attempted on runway 29 at Merritt Island Airport (coi), Merritt Island, Florida. The wind… ## 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 LAX97LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA228), Jul 2, 1997: Aviat A-1 (N13HU), Novato, CA, substantial damage. 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. 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.