# NTSB WPR21LA167: American Legend AL3, N712YP, Petaluma, CA, March 27, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 27, 2021, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Petaluma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.257793, -122.60532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2578&lon=-122.6053&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: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA167

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060002K), [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: [American Legend AL3, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [American Legend AL3, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, she experienced a wind gust and the airplane veered to the left and ground looped. The wings and lift struts were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N712YP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N712YP), registered now, S/N AL-1158, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3
- Registry model: [American Legend AL3](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-legend-al3) (registry code 060002K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AL-1158
- Year built: 2010
- Airframe hours: 641
- Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Napa Taildraggers Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 2020
- Departed: APC, Napa, CA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: O69, Petaluma Muni, runway 11/29, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,047 total, 109 in this make and model, 2,047 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 22 °F, dew point 5 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: KO69

## 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 20210327009059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210327009059A), Mar 27, 2021: American Legend Aircraft Co AL3, Petaluma, CA, Substantial damage. PIC of N712YP on day of incident was sole individual on board at time of incident. She was practicing landings in her aircraft of which she has 120 hours in…

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.

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