Spicewood, Tx Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Spicewood, Texas 78669
Sunday, December 31, 2006 13:15 CST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The 270-hour private pilot lost directional control of the single-engine airplane during a crosswind landing on runway 35. Runway 35 was reported as a dry 4,185-foot long by 30-foot wide asphalt runway. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that "while slowing down on the runway, a sudden gust blew the airplane to the right (east) and off the runway." Subsequently, the "nose gear dug into the mud and collapsed causing the airplane to flip onto its back." The pilot was able to exit the aircraft through the cabin door and sustained no injuries. The airplane sustained structural damage. Weather reported at a facility 25 nautical miles to the east included wind from 300 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 22 knots, clear skies, and 10 miles visibility.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the muddy terrain.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 12/31/2006
Event Day of the Week Sunday
Time of Event 1315
Event Time Zone Central Standard Time
Event City Spicewood
Event State TEXAS
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 78669
Event Date Year 2006
Event Date Month 12
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 302840N
Event Location Longitude 0980716W
Event Location Airport Spicewood, TX
Event Location Nearest Airport ID 88R
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles 0
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 830
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1030 Central Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 90
Weather Observation Facility ID KAUS
Elevation of weather observation facility 542
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 50
Time Zone of the weather observation CST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 13
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 300
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 12
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 22
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 21224
NTSB Notification Source FTW Regional Operations Center
NTSB Notification Date Dec 31 2006 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Mar 26 2007 9:33AM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\lema
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office SAT FSDO

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N988SP
NTSB Number DFW07CA048
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cessna
Aircraft Model 172S
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 172S8207
Certified Max Gross Weight --
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Mar 1 2006 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 906
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Steve Cerwin and Joseph Arrambide
Aircraft Owner Street Address 1619 CR 270
Aircraft Owner City Mico
Aircraft Owner State TX
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 78056
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name Joseph Arrambide
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code KSAT
Departure City San Antonio
Departure State TX
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1215
Departure Time Zone CST
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code 88R
Destination City Spicewood
Destination State TX
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Landing - roll
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Feb 8 2007 11:29AM
User who most recently changed record CASH
Since inspection or accident Last Inspection
Event Location Runway Number and Location 35
Runway Length 4185
Runway Width 30
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --