AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1A
Marfa, TX, June 12, 2009
Event Information
| Date | June 12, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Marfa, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 30.36917, -104.01722 |
| Airport | Private |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | CEN09CA352 |
| Event ID | 20090615X94147 |
Aircraft
| Make | AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC |
| Model | A-1A |
| Registration # | N391C |
| Operator | FOWLKES PRESTON L |
| Owner | FOWLKES PRESTON L |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing in gusty winds.
Full Narrative
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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.