# NTSB WPR11CA418: Christen Industries A-1, N2868A, Dorris, CA, August 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2011, 15:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Dorris, CA - Coordinates: 41.883888, -121.974723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8839&lon=-121.9747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 81661 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA418 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81661/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81661 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA418 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral aircraft control while taking off with a gusting crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=221020X), [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); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he flew to a nearby airport to practice touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. After his first touchdown, he applied power for takeoff and, as his airplane lifted off, he encountered a strong wind gust from his left side. He applied left aileron, but his right wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest upright. The airplane immediately burst into flames and was consumed by the fire. The closest weather station, located 19 nautical miles from the airport, reported the wind at 280 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from the northwest at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he flew to a nearby airport to practice touch-and-go landings. After his first touchdown, he applied power for takeoff and as his airplane lifted off, he encountered a strong wind gust from his left side. He applied left aileron, but his right wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest upright. The airplane immediately burst into flames and was consumed by the fire. The closest weather station, located 19 nautical miles from the airport, reported the wind at 280 degrees for 12 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from the northwest at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2868A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2868A-2013-01-29), registration cancelled 2013-01-29, S/N 1003, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES INC A-1 - Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1003 - Airframe hours: 713 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alexander Marshall Jay - Registered owner: Alexander Marshall Jay - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2011 - Departed: A32, Dorris, CA - Destination: A32, Dorris, CA - Airport: A32, Butte Valley Airport, runway 34, 4,300 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 835 total, 122 in this make and model, 765 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: LMT, 20 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 20110830020279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110830020279A), Aug 30, 2011: Christen Industries Inc A-1, Butte City, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft was observed conducting touch and go landings when a wingtip struck the the ground, the aircraft cartwheeled and caught fire. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 16, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81661. 414 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354201&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.