# NTSB WPR10CA153: Aviat A-1C-200, N134DD, St. Johns, AZ, March 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 6, 2010, 17:00 local (Mar 7, 2010, 00:00 UTC) - Place: St. Johns, AZ - Coordinates: 34.518333, -109.378608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5183&lon=-109.3786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75452 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75452/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75452 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA153 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind gusts and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during takeoff. ## 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: [Aviat A-1C-200, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was departing to the southwest in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. He reported that shortly after liftoff the airplane encountered a gust of wind that "blew the aircraft sideways." Despite the pilot's control inputs, he was unable to recover and the airplane impacted the ground in a nose-low, right bank attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 200 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 37 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident. He noted in his written statement that the accident could have been prevented if he had postponed the departure until wind conditions improved. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was departing to the southwest in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. He reported that shortly after liftoff the airplane encountered a gust of wind that "blew the aircraft sideways." Despite the pilot's control inputs, he was unable to recover and the airplane impacted the ground in a nose-low, right bank attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 200 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 37 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident. He noted in his written statement that the accident could have been prevented if he had postponed the departure until wind conditions improved. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N134DD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N134DD), registered now, S/N 3015, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C-200 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-200) (registry code 2210411) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1D6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1d6) (registry code 41822, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3015 - Airframe hours: 120 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Travis Scott - Registered owner: Teaco Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 2010, 101 hours before - Departed: KSJN, St. Johns, AZ - Destination: KLRU, Las Cruces, NM - Airport: KSJN, St. Johns Industrial Airpark, runway 21, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 5, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 222 total, 41 in this make and model, 193 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 13 knots, gusting 37 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KSJN ## 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 20100306004979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100306004979A), Mar 6, 2010: Aviat Aircr A-1C-200, St. Johns, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft N134DD took off from rwy 21 at ksjn at 1700L on March 6, 2010. The aircraft crashed shortly after take off. The aircraft sustained substantial damage… ## Other investigations on N134DD (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 SEA08CA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA111), Apr 24, 2008: Aviat A-1C-200 (N134DD), Bluff, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate short-field landing procedure and excessive airspeed that resulted in a landing overrun. Contributing to the accident were gusting unfavorable winds, the short runway, and… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75452. 970 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 970 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327447&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.