# NTSB SEA08CA148: Aviat A-1B, N172HY, Ogden, UT, May 31, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 31, 2008, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, UT
- Coordinates: 41.195835, -112.011947
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1958&lon=-112.0119&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA148

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the variable wind condition.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot performed a wheel landing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane with variable wind conditions present. During the landing roll, the tail of the airplane began to settle as the airplane veered suddenly to the right. The pilot's efforts to correct the veer were unsuccessful and the airplane ground looped. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear was underneath the fuselage and the outboard portion of the left wing was structurally damaged. The pilot stated there was no mechanical anomalies with the engine or flight control system at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot performed a wheel landing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane with variable wind conditions present. During the landing roll, the tail of the airplane began to settle as the airplane veered suddenly to the right. The pilot's efforts to correct the veer were unsuccessful and the airplane ground looped. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear was underneath the fuselage and the outboard portion of the left wing was structurally damaged. The pilot stated there was no mechanical anomalies with the engine or flight control system at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N172HY (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Aviat A-1B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2172
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Bues
- Registered owner: Michael Bues
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KCNY, Moab, UT
- Destination: KOGD, Ogden, UT
- Airport: KOGD, Ogden Hinkley Airport, runway 34, 5,195 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 928 total, 304 in this make and model, 869 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KOGD

## 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 20080531835519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080531835519A), May 31, 2008: Aviat A1B, Ogden, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was cleared to land runway 34, winds were light, 320/04. The landing appeared to be normal but as the aircraft slowed and the tail began to settle…

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.

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