# NTSB WPR09CA429: Curtiss Wright Travel AIR, N4418, San Diego, CA, August 30, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 30, 2009, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.815555, -117.139724 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8156&lon=-117.1397&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 December 15, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: San Diego FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA429
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74629/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74629
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA429

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions.

## 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: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2621802), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the landing roll on runway 28 in crosswind conditions, the pilot said the airplane swerved to the left, ground looped and the main landing gear collapsed. The reported winds at the time of the accident were 180 degrees at 9 knots. He said that he inadvertently applied uneven pressure to the rudder pedals during the landing roll.

## Factual narrative

During the landing roll on runway 28 in crosswind conditions, the pilot said the airplane swerved to the left, ground looped and the main landing gear collapsed. The reported winds at the time of the accident were 180 degrees at 9 knots. He said that he inadvertently applied uneven pressure to the rudder pedals during the landing roll.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4418](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4418), registered now, S/N 378, built 1928 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CURTISS WRIGHT TRAVEL AIR
- Registry model: [Curtiss Wright TRAVEL AIR 4000](https://openairdocs.org/model/curtiss-wright-travel-air-4000) (registry code 2621802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright CURTISS OX5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-curtiss-ox5) (registry code 67002, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 378
- Engines: WRIGHT CURTISS OX5 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Daniels Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Daniels Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KMYF, San Diego, CA
- Destination: KMYF, San Diego, CA
- Airport: KMYF, Montgomery Field, runway 28R, 3,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 12,500 total, 18 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg

## 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 20090830018019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090830018019A), Aug 30, 2009: Curtis TRAVELAIR400, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 08/30/2009, N4418, a curtiss wright travelair aircraft model 4000, ground looped during landing roll out runway 28R myf, following a scenic sight…

## Other investigations on N4418 (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 LAX08CA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA095), Apr 9, 2008: Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 4000 (N4418), Carlsbad, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate crosswind compensation and failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74629. 652 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319150&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.

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