# NTSB SEA92LA169: Greth Cirrus VK30, N303VK, Rawlins, WY, July 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1992, 13:19 local (19:19 UTC)
- Place: Rawlins, WY
- Coordinates: 41.780944, -107.219505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7809&lon=-107.2195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA169

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CROSSWINDS AND GUSTS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER ASCERTAINING THAT THE WINDSOCK FAVORED RUNWAY 28 THE PILOT EXECUTED AN APPROACH TO THAT RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON SHORT FINAL HE 'FELT THE AIRPLANE SINK RAPIDLY, APPLIED POWER TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND AND FELT NO RESPONSE' AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT 'VEERED TO THE RIGHT, PITCHED UP' AND THEN CRASHED COMING TO REST ALONG THE NORTH EDGE OF THE RUNWAY APPROXIMATELY 200 YARDS WEST OF THE THRESHOLD. SURFACE WINDS RECORDED AT THE AIRPORT 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WERE FROM 240 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KNOTS. CONSISTENT WESTERLY TO SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS BETWEEN 16 AND 22 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 30 KNOTS WERE REPORTED IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON OF THE ACCIDENT AT THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N303VK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N303VK-2016-03-05), registration cancelled 2016-03-05, S/N 003, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRETH CIRRUS VK30 (CIRRUS VK3)
- Registry model: [Greth Gerald N VK 30](https://openairdocs.org/model/greth-gerald-n-vk-30) (registry code 0561842) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 003
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: GRETH EAGLE V8 425 horsepower unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Greth, Gerald N.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: EKO, ELKO, NV
- Destination: BFF, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE
- Airport: RWL, Rawlins Municipal, runway 28, 4,320 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,469 total, 70 in this make and model, 1,469 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWL

## 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 19920729027979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920729027979A), Jul 29, 1992: Amtr VK30, Rawlings, WY, Substantial damage. Lost control on short final landing in gusty surface wind. Too much wind for an ultra light homebuilt aircraft.

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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