Investigator In Charge (IIC): Benhoff, Kathryn
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: McCook, Nebraska
Accident Number: GAA17CA127
Date and Time: January 28, 2017, 16:45 Local
Registration: N60JV
Aircraft: VAUGHAN GERALD R SIDE WINDER TD
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions, the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder and brake, but the airplane struck a runway sign on the left side of the runway and exited the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 8 minutes after the accident, the wind was 320 ° true at 19 knots, gusting to 25 knots, and peak wind was 300 ° true at 27 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Gusts - Effect on operation
Environmental issues Sign/marker - Contributed to outcome
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing-landing roll Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 59,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: November 18, 2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 14, 2016
Flight Time: (Estimated) 5152.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3.5 hours (Total, this make and model), 4800 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9.6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3.5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Pilot-rated passenger Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 58,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: May 29, 2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: VAUGHAN GERALD R
Registration: N60JV
Model/Series: SIDE WINDER TD NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Utility; Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: V1004
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 10, 2016 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 397.6 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 150 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMCK, 2530 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 22:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 280°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 8000 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 19 knots / 25 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 320°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / -4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: CLAREMORE, OK (GCM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: McCook, NE (MCK)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 13:10 Local
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: MC COOK BEN NELSON RGNL MCK
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 2582 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 30
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 6450 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Straight-in
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.205833,-100.589721(est)
