# NTSB WPR14CA047: Aviat A 1B, N510MA, LaGrange, WY, November 9, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 9, 2013, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: LaGrange, WY - Coordinates: 41.286109, -104.459724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2861&lon=-104.4597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 4, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88408/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88408 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA047 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land on a rough surface with hidden obstructions (holes). ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after touchdown on the grass/sod airstrip, the landing roll was normal for about 100 feet, but then the airplane came to an abrupt stop, like it had hit something. The airplane nosed over substantially damaging the rudder and wings. The pilot and ranch personnel inspected the landing area and followed the airplane's tracks back toward the point of touchdown. They found a large hole, likely dug by an animal, approximately 24" deep, and in line with the airplane's right tire track. The pilot said he did not see the hole when flying downwind, nor on the base leg, or final approach. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after touchdown on the grass/sod airstrip, the landing roll was normal for about 100 feet, but then the airplane came to an abrupt stop, like it had hit something. The airplane nosed over substantially damaging the rudder and wings. The pilot and ranch personnel inspected the landing area and followed the airplane's tracks back toward the point of touchdown. They found a large hole, likely dug by an animal, approximately 24" deep, and in line with the airplane's right tire track. The pilot said he did not see the hole when flying downwind, nor on the base leg, or final approach. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N510MA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N510MA), registered now, S/N 2322, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A 1B (B) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2322 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 517 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 2013 - Departed: LMO, LONGMONT, CO - Destination: LaGrange, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,100 total, 431 in this make and model, 2,997 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KTOR, 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 20131109021149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131109021149A), Nov 9, 2013: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B, La Grange, WY, Substantial damage. On November 9, 2013 at approximately 0700 hrs. MST, N510MA an Aviat aircraft model A-1B aircraft sustained substantial damage while landing at bartlett ranch… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88408. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406743&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.