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NTSB Report

June 17, 2005 · American Champion Acac 8GCBC · N617MA

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
American Champion Acac 8GCBC
Tail Number
N617MA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX05CA211

The airplane ground looped during the landing rollout. The pilot was landing on runway 25. An aviation routine weather report issued for the airport 7 minutes before the accident reported that the winds were from 160 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.

Full Narrative

On June 17, 2005, about 1300 mountain standard time, an American Champion 8GCBC, N617MA, ground looped at the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Albuquerque (ABQ), New Mexico, about 1030, with a planned destination of Phoenix. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he performed a standard wheel landing, and ground looped on the landing rollout due to unforeseen dust devil activity in the area. During the ground loop, the right wing, right wheel and landing strut, and right horizontal stabilizer were damaged from impact with the dirt off the side of the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. In a telephone conversation, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that he was at the Raytheon building at the time of the accident. He talked to the pilot after the accident, and the pilot stated to him that he ground looped. In his conversation, the FAA inspector stated that there might have been dust devil activity in the area. However, there was no dust devil activity on the runway at the time of the accident. The pilot was landing on runway 25. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) issued for Deer Valley at 1253 reported that the winds were from 160 degrees at 6 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 MST
Nearest AirportPhoenix Deer Valley Airport (0nm)
Runway25L
Runway Length8208 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican Champion Acac 8GCBC
Tail NumberN617MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C1G · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C
Altimeter29.79 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data