# NTSB WPR20CA093: Aviat A1, N462, Columbia, CA, February 22, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 22, 2020, 13:46 local (21:46 UTC) - Place: Columbia, CA - Coordinates: 38.030555, -120.414443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0306&lon=-120.4144&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100992 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100992/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100992 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA093 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain bank control during landing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); 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) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Aviat A-1A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2210405), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing crosswind landings on the grass runway. On the second landing approach and as the airplane crossed over the runway threshold, it encountered a wind gust and rolled right. The pilot applied full engine power to perform a go-around, but the airplane continued to roll right. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane cartwheeled into an adjacent wooded area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that he had been practicing crosswind landings on the grass runway in the tailwheel equipped airplane. On the second landing approach, as the airplane crossed over the runway threshold, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and rolled to the right. The pilot applied full engine power in an attempt to perform a go-around, but the airplane continued to roll right. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane cartwheeled into an adjacent wooded area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N462](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N462-2021-06-12), registration cancelled 2021-06-12, S/N 1446, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A1 (A) - Registry model: [Aviat A-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1a) (registry code 2210405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1446 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 1103 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 2019, 41 hours before - Departed: CPU, San Andreas, CA - Destination: O22, Columbia, CA - Airport: O22, Columbia, runway 29, 2,607 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review July 26, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 3,565 total, 72.9 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: O22 ## 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 20200222002299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200222002299A), Feb 22, 2020: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1A, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. During landing rollout on rwy 29, the left wing began to lift and despite control inputs, the aircraft would not recover. The pilot applied full engine power… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 6, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100992. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481083&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo - Airplane at the Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481084&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Airplane%20at%20the%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.