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GAA15CA060

2015-05-04 · Carson City, Nevada, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport KCXP

Current FAA registration · N88FX

Make / Model
WATSON DAVID E SKYBOLT
Year of manufacture
1986 · 29 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-360-A1A (200 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20140724
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AC1C0F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.

Factual narrative

The pilot landing the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported he was unable to correct for winds after touchdown and decided to abort the landing. During takeoff the biplane's left lower wing struck a taxiway sign. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Safety Inspector performed a subsequent examination of the biplane, and documented and photographed substantial damage to the bottom left wing spar. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot landing the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported he was unable to correct for winds after touchdown and decided to abort the landing. During takeoff the biplane's left lower wing struck a taxiway sign.  A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Safety Inspector performed a subsequent examination of the biplane, and documented and photographed substantial damage to the bottom left wing spar. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA15CA060.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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