N391C

Substantial
None

AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1AS/N: 1467

Accident Details

Date
Friday, June 12, 2009
NTSB Number
CEN09CA352
Location
Marfa, TX
Event ID
20090615X94147
Coordinates
30.369167, -104.017219
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing in gusty winds.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N391C
Make
AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC
Serial Number
1467
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2000
Model / ICAO
A-1AHUSK
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
DRUITT DAVID T
Address
315 PARK LAKE BLVD APT 314
Status
Deregistered
City
DETROIT LAKES
State / Zip Code
MN 56501-4430
Country
United States

Analysis

The private pilot was using his single-engine airplane to conduct an aerial survey of his ranch, when he noted a trough that was overflowing. He elected to land at the nearby 1,100-foot-long, dirt airstrip so he could fix the water problem. During landing, the pilot encountered a gust of wind and the airplane bounced, traveling beyond the point where an aborted landing could be safely achieved due to a row of power lines. The pilot first applied brakes, which caused the tail to rise, but the not enough to slow the airplane down to a full stop. So, he then applied full brakes which subsequently flipped the airplane over resulting in damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA352