# NTSB WPR11CA018: Deitz Avid Flyer MK4, N169WP, Colville, WA, October 16, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 16, 2010, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Colville, WA - Coordinates: 48.543829, -117.90073 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5438&lon=-117.9007&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77605 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77605/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77605 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to compensate for a wind gust and maintain runway alignment during final approach to land, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree. ## 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: [Deitz Jerry AVID FLYER MK4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05618RH), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Deitz Jerry AVID FLYER MK4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05618RH), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Deitz Jerry AVID FLYER MK4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05618RH), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Deitz Jerry AVID FLYER MK4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05618RH), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was landing the airplane on a turf airstrip at a private airport with a crosswind of about 7 to 12 knots. During the landing approach, about 20 feet above the airstrip, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. As a result, the airplane drifted to the edge of runway and the right wing impacted a tree. The airplane subsequently descended to the ground and came to rest with the right wing no longer attached to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing the airplane to the east at a private airport. The turf runway was 2,600 feet long and 75 feet wide. The pilot indicated that the wind was from the north, and during the landing approach, the airplane encountered a gust that blew the airplane to the southern edge of the runway. The right wing then impacted a tree and the airplane collided with the ground. The pilot had 126 hours total time, and 3 hours in the accident airplane make and model. No mechanical anomalies were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N169WP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169WP-2013-05-06), registration cancelled 2013-05-06, S/N 1262-D, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEITZ AVID FLYER MK4 - Registry model: [Deitz Jerry AVID FLYER MK4](https://openairdocs.org/model/deitz-jerry-avid-flyer-mk4) (registry code 05618RH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1262-D - Engines: Subaru E-81 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harrell Hartman - Registered owner: Harrell Hartman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: WA72, Colville, WA - Destination: WA72, Colville, WA - Airport: WA72, Zema Private Airport, runway 07, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review November 2, 2009; flight hours: 126 total, 3 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: DEW, 45 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 20101016049159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101016049159A), Oct 16, 2010: Deitz Jerry AVID FLYER, Colville, WA, Destroyed. Mr. Hartman elected an approach for landing to the east with a left quartering tailwind. At approximatly 20 feet AGL Mr. Hartman lost control of the aircraft.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77605. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338786&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.