# NTSB WPR12CA412: Grob-Werke G 120A, N863AF, Mobile, AZ, September 10, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 10, 2012, 09:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Mobile, AZ - Coordinates: 33.111946, -112.269165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1119&lon=-112.2692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84991 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA412 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84991/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84991 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA412 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll and the subsequent aborted takeoff in a gusting crosswind. ## 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: [Grob-Werke G 120A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1660208), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grob-Werke G 120A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1660208), [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Grob-Werke G 120A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1660208), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grob-Werke G 120A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1660208), [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. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Grob-Werke G 120A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1660208), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grob-Werke G 120A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1660208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot, who had just completed a full-stop landing and taxied back to the approach end of the runway, started the takeoff roll with a right quartering headwind of about 8 knots. Just as he prepared to takeoff, a wind gust lifted the right wing and the airplane yawed to the left. Although the student applied right aileron and rudder to correct for the gust, the airplane continued toward the left edge of the runway. The student decided to abort the takeoff, reduce the power to idle, and apply the brakes. However, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with a bush, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot and the operator, there was no indication of any preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The student pilot, who had just completed a full-stop landing and taxied back to the approach end of the runway, started his takeoff roll in a wind of about eight knots, which was coming from about 45 degrees to the right of the nose of the airplane. Just prior to the pilot initiating the rotation, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the right, which resulted in the right wing raising and the airplane yawing to the left. Although the pilot attempted to correct for the gust by applying right aileron and right rudder, the airplane continued toward the left edge of the 75-foot wide runway. The pilot, who therefore decided to abort the takeoff, reduced the power to idle and applied the brakes. During his attempt to bring the airplane to a stop, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, whereupon it collided with a large bush, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot and the operator, there was no indication of any mechanical malfunction associated with the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N863AF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N863AF), registered now, S/N 85003, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GROB-WERKE G 120A - Registry model: [Grob-Werke G 120A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grob-werke-g-120a) (registry code 1660208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 85003 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540-D4D5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: International Pilot School - Registered owner: Airline Training Center Arizona Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: KGYR, Mobile, AZ - Destination: KGYR, Mobile, AZ - Airport: 1AZO, Mobile, runway 09, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 52 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20120910021589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120910021589A), Sep 10, 2012: Grob-Werke G 120A, Substantial damage. On 9/10/2012 student pilot [privacy data omitted] had an accident located at 1AZ0 (Mobile AZ airport). This was the pilots 3rd solo flight. No other personnel… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84991. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378390&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.