# NTSB WPR09CA243: ART Lee Delano CH701, N701LD, Oakdale, CA, May 13, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2009, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Oakdale, CA - Coordinates: 37.756111, -120.800003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7561&lon=-120.8000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73829/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73829 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA243 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Delano ART Lee CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056243G), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Delano ART Lee CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=056243G), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Delano ART Lee CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056243G), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Delano ART Lee CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=056243G), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Delano ART Lee CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056243G), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Delano ART Lee CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056243G), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he observed a strong crosswind from the right while on final approach to the destination airport. Just prior to touchdown, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued to drift and touched down in a grass-covered field adjacent to the runway surface. While on the landing roll, the airplane traveled downslope and the nosewheel became embedded in the terrain surface, resulting in it nosing over to an inverted position. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred structural damage to the rudder. The pilot recalled that the wind velocity at the time of the accident was about 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that he observed a strong crosswind from the right while on final approach to the destination airport. Just prior to touchdown, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued to drift and touched down in a grass covered field adjacent to the runway surface. While on the landing roll, the airplane traveled downslope and the nose wheel became embedded in the terrain surface, resulting in a nose over to inverted. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred structural damage to the rudder. The pilot recalled that the wind velocity at the time of the accident was about 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N701LD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N701LD), registered now, S/N 6223, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ART LEE DELANO CH701 - Registry model: [Delano ART Lee CH701](https://openairdocs.org/model/delano-art-lee-ch701) (registry code 056243G) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6223 - Airframe hours: 53 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Art Lee Delano - Registered owner: Art Lee Delano - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 28, 2008, 53 hours before - Departed: E79, Fresno, CA - Destination: 027, Oakdale, CA - Airport: 027, Oakdale, runway 28, 3,020 × 66 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,870 total, 53 in this make and model, 1,870 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F - Observed at: MOD, 11 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 20090513006979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090513006979A), May 13, 2009: Amtr CH701, Oakdale, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On approach to rwy 28, winds were gusty from the nw but PIC thought they were within his and the aircraft's limitations. He admits being too slow, just… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73829. 610 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 610 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314025&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.