# NTSB WPR13CA276: Gary W Bettis Harmon Rocket II, N91GB, South Lake Tahoe, CA, June 17, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2013, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: South Lake Tahoe, CA - Coordinates: 38.89389, -119.995277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8939&lon=-119.9953&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87222 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87222/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87222 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA276 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a 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: [Gary W Bettis HARMON ROCKET II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05630YD), [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: [Gary W Bettis HARMON ROCKET II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05630YD), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Gary W Bettis HARMON ROCKET II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05630YD), [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-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Gary W Bettis HARMON ROCKET II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05630YD), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Gary W Bettis HARMON ROCKET II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05630YD), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he contacted UNICOM as he approached the airport and was told that the gusting wind of 10 to 15 knots favored the southern runway. The first attempt to land resulted in a go-around due to an erratic and gusting right crosswind. During touchdown on the second attempt, the crosswind turned the airplane to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder, and was able to return the airplane to runway centerline. However, during the rollout, the airplane was again struck by the crosswind, and departed the runway surface and ground looped. The fuselage and left wing were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he contacted UNICOM as he approached the airport and was told that the gusting wind of 10 to 15 knots favored the southern runway. The first attempt to land resulted in a go-around due to an erratic and gusting right crosswind. During touchdown on the second attempt, the crosswind turned the airplane to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder, and was able to return the airplane to runway centerline. However, during the rollout, the airplane was again struck by the crosswind, and departed the runway surface and ground looped. The fuselage and left wing were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91GB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91GB), registered now, S/N 064, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GARY W BETTIS HARMON ROCKET II - Registry model: [Gary W Bettis HARMON ROCKET II](https://openairdocs.org/model/gary-w-bettis-harmon-rocket-ii) (registry code 05630YD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-C4B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-c4b5) (registry code 41651, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 064 - Airframe hours: 110 - Engines: Lycoming IO540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 22, 2013 - Departed: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA - Destination: TVL, South Lake Tahoe, CA - Airport: TVL, Lake Tahoe, runway 18, 8,541 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2012; seat: front; flight hours: 270 total, 90 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: TVL ## 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 20130617009639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130617009639A), Jun 17, 2013: Gary W Bettis HARMON ROCKET II, South Lake Taho, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he made one go-around to check the runway conditions. The pilot reported that he had a hard landing on runway 18 and that he veered to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87222. 716 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 716 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404036&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.