# NTSB WPR11CA014: Boeing A75N1(PT17), N66940, Palm Springs, CA, October 12, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2010, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Palm Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.829444, -116.506668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8294&lon=-116.5067&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77566/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77566 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA014 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in a ground loop. ## 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: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during landing, the airplane encountered a crosswind. The left wingtip touched the runway and the airplane ground looped. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed damage to the left aileron and a wing rib. Approximately 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was reported from 130 degrees at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing the tail wheel-equipped airplane on runway 31R. The pilot stated that during the landing, he encountered a crosswind, the left wingtip touched the runway, and the airplane ground looped. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed damage to the left aileron and a wing rib. Approximately 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was reported from 130 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66940](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66940), registered now, S/N 75-4716, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1(PT17) - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-4716 - Airframe hours: 6000 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kent Thomas - Registered owner: Kent Thomas - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 2010 - Departed: PSP, Palm Springs, CA - Destination: PSP, Palm Springs, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: PSP, Palm Springs In't Airport, runway 31R, 4,952 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2010; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,650 total, 30 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: PSP ## 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 20101012050619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101012050619A), Oct 12, 2010: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he was practicing landings in the traffic pattern at kpsp on runway 13L when the winds began to shift and favor runway 31L/R. While rolling… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77566. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Left Outboard Wing/Aileron (item 2, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338530&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Left%20Outboard%20Wing%2FAileron-Master.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.