# NTSB WPR13CA280: Aviat A-1A, N26HV, McCall, ID, June 21, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 21, 2013, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: McCall, ID - Coordinates: 45.249168, -115.126663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2492&lon=-115.1267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87269/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87269 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA280 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach for landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings with a certified flight instructor at various back country airstrips. After three uneventful landings, the pilot circled over a fourth landing strip and noted that she needed to maintain the airplane’s minimum approach airspeed to be able to land on the short runway; she then entered the traffic pattern. While on short final, about 25 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and started to descend. The pilot added power; however, the airplane subsequently landed hard and sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings with a certified flight instructor at various back country airstrips. After three uneventful landings, the pilot circled over a fourth landing strip and noted that she needed to maintain the airplane’s minimum approach airspeed to be able to land on the short runway; she then entered the traffic pattern. While on short final, about 25 feet above the ground, the airplane stalled and started to descend. The pilot added power; however, the airplane subsequently landed hard and sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26HV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26HV), registered now, S/N 1410 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1A - Registry model: [Aviat A-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1a) (registry code 2210405) (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: 1410 - Airframe hours: 971 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Victoria Benzing - Registered owner: Jeffrey and Victoria Benzing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2013, 31 hours before - Departed: MYL, McCall, ID - Destination: MYL, McCall, ID - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: I99D, Dewey Moore Airstrip, runway 28, 700 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2013; seat: front; flight hours: 6,167 total, 64 in this make and model, 6,109 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 79; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: MYL, 47 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 20130621011349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130621011349A), Jun 21, 2013: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1A, Substantial damage. Pilot was receiving back counrty instruction. They attempted to land at the Dewey Moore Airstrip (700 x 30 feet, gravel strip). First time at this Airstrip for… ## Other investigations on N26HV (2) 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. - [NTSB WPR22FA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA304), Aug 15, 2022: Aviat A-1A (N26HV), Yellow Pine, ID, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an initial climb, which resulted in the exceedance of the critical angle of attack, subsequent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain.… - [NTSB DEN01LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA038), Jan 4, 2001: Aviat A-1A (N26HV), Eden, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a landing attempt. A contributing factor was his failure to check the snow conditions in the field before the flight. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87269. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397061&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.