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Atlas / NTSB / GAA16CA121

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event GAA16CA121

2016-01-24 Big Bear, California, United States Airport · L35 None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N1983T

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

GLINES KENNETH TAILWIND W-8

Seats / Engines

2 seats · 1 engine

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A188B6

Registrant of record

BOATMAN JOHN H JR

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's inadvertent landing off the left side of the snow-covered runway, resulting in a ground loop and nose over.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, during his approach at a non-towered airport at night, he made the descent to what he thought was the runway, but realized that it was actually the taxiway, and "slipped" right, to what he then perceived to be the runway. Upon touchdown, the airplane ground looped and nosed over. The pilot had landed and nosed over in the safety area to the left of the runway. The pilot reported that he had been flying for the preceding 12 hour period, and conceded to having exceeded his personal endurance limitations. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. According to the pilot, during his approach at a non-towered airport at night, he made the descent to what he thought was the runway, but realized  that it was actually the taxiway, and "slipped" right, to what he then perceived to be the runway. Upon touchdown, the airplane ground looped and nosed over. The pilot had landed and nosed over in the safety area to the left of the runway. The pilot reported that he had been flying for the preceding 12 hour period, and conceded to having exceeded his personal endurance limitations. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C
  • Personnel issues-Physical-Alertness/Fatigue-Lack of sleep-Pilot
  • Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Perception-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA121.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.