# NTSB WPR13CA427: Aviat A-1C-200, N53WY, Dell, MT, September 27, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2013, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Dell, MT - Coordinates: 44.723331, -112.698333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7233&lon=-112.6983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: 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 FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA427 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88149/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88149 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA427 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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: [Aviat A-1C-200, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2210411), [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: [Aviat A-1C-200, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210411), [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: [Aviat A-1C-200, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-200, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2210411), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while transitioning from the landing roll, to taxi, on a gravel road with a 12- to 15-knot tailwind, a gust of wind lifted the tail. The airplane rotated and the left wing collided with a fence. The left wing and its associated lift strut were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while transitioning from the landing roll, to taxi, on a gravel road with a 12- to 15-knot tailwind, a gust of wind lifted the tail. The airplane rotated and the left wing collided with a fence. The left wing and its associated lift strut were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53WY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53WY), registered now, S/N 3084, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C-200 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-200) (registry code 2210411) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1D6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1d6) (registry code 41822, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3084 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 113 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 2013 - Departed: KRXE, Rexburg, ID - Destination: Dell, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,800 total, 190 in this make and model, 2,730 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KDLN, 32 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 20130927018469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130927018469A), Sep 27, 2013: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-200, Dell, MT, Substantial damage. During an off airport landing on a gravel road as the aircraft was rolling out it encountered a gust of tailwind resulting in the pilots loss of control and… ## Other investigations on N53WY (1) 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 WPR11CA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA396), Aug 19, 2011: Aviat A-1C-200 (N53WY), Casper, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88149. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 517 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane at Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site-Master.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.