# NTSB SEA94LA087: Christen Industries A-1, N2925Z, Dutch John, UT, March 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1994, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Dutch John, UT
- Coordinates: 40.940067, -109.189788 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9401&lon=-109.1898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41898/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATIONS FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE GUSTY CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 29 THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A WIND SHIFT FROM A LEFT QUARTERING HEADWIND TO A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND, ALONG WITH GUSTING CONDITIONS. THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, ROLLING INTO SAGEBRUSH, AND ULTIMATELY NOSING OVER.

## Factual narrative

On March 19, 1994, approximately 1155 hours mountain standard time (MST), a Christen Industries, Inc., A-1, N2925Z, registered to and being flown by Charles R. Arment, a certificated commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control on takeoff at the Dutch John Airport, Dutch John, Utah. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was to be a local aerial observation, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR91.

The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he initiated the takeoff roll on runway 29 with a left quartering headwind of 10- 12 knots. Immediately after the tailwheel left the runway the wind became gusty and shifted to a left quartering tailwind. The aircraft drifted off the right side of the runway and nosed over as it rolled into sagebrush.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2925Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2925Z), registered now, S/N 1032, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Christen Industries A-1
- Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1032
- Airframe hours: 540
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Arment, C. Randall
- Registered owner: Arment, C. Randall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 1994, 60 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 33U, Dutch John, runway 29, 7,455 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,400 total, 500 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VEL, 29 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 19940319005949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940319005949A), Mar 19, 1994: Chris A1, Dutch John, UT, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on takeoff roll. Nosed over in sagebrush. Blamed quartering crosswind shift.

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.