Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 4000
Carlsbad, CA — April 9, 2008
Event Information
| Date | April 9, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | LAX08CA095 |
| Event ID | 20080508X00630 |
| Location | Carlsbad, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.78976, -116.96052 |
| Airport | McClellan-Palomar |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Curtiss-Wright |
| Model | Travel Air 4000 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 3 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's inadequate crosswind compensation and failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Full Narrative
Following an uneventful commercial air tour sightseeing flight in the 1928 model biplane, the pilot returned to the departure airport and prepared for landing on runway 24. The pilot stated that during his approach, air traffic control tower personnel reported that the wind was from 180 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot stated that he compensated for the wind by initiating a crab, and he landed on the runway. During the landing rollout, the airplane's lower right wing impacted the runway. The airplane suddenly reversed direction and ground looped to a stop.
On April 30, 2008, the operator's Director of Maintenance reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had inspected the accident airplane and found no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunction. He reported that, during the ground loop event, three of the lower right wing's ribs were cracked, and its front and rear spars were broken.
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.