14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, December 30, 2011 in Mansfield, MA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 03/27/2012
Aircraft: KOTH LARRY JABIRU CALYPSO, registration: N344MK
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot/owner was practicing takeoffs and landings in the recently certificated experimental amateur-built airplane. After completing an adjustment of the left wing to control a rolling tendency, as well as multiple adjustments to the hand-operated brakes, the pilot performed a short flight over the runway and landed about 400 feet beyond the point of takeoff. The airplane touched down about 55 knots airspeed, and the pilot applied the brakes. The airplane veered, did not slow, and departed the left side of the runway. The airplane continued about 900 feet after touchdown before it collided with terrain and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings. After the accident, the pilot could not recall if he had reduced the throttle upon landing. Examination of the cockpit revealed that the flight controls, engine controls, and the hand-operated brake control were of a nonstandard configuration, and all had matching red handles. It was also noted that application of the brakes required the pilot to release the control stick. Examination of the braking system revealed binding of the left brake caliper and disk, missing washers from the right brake caliper, distortion of the left and right inner lining plates over the piston of each brake assembly, and compression of the return springs. Other than the known wing and brake anomalies, the pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot did not maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s not closing the throttle upon landing and his improper adjustment of the airplane’s brakes.
The pilot/owner was practicing takeoffs and landings in the recently certificated experimental amateur-built airplane at the time of the accident. After completing an adjustment of the left wing to control a rolling tendency, as well as multiple adjustments to the hand-operated brakes, the pilot performed a short flight over the runway, and landed back about 400 feet beyond the point of takeoff. The airplane touched down about 55 knots airspeed, and the pilot applied the brakes. The airplane did not slow and departed the left side of the runway. The airplane continued approximately 900 feet after touchdown, before it collided with terrain, and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to the wings. After the accident, the pilot could not recall if he had reduced the throttle upon landing. Examination of the cockpit revealed that the flight controls, engine controls, and the hand-operated brake control were of a non-standard configuration, and all had matching red handles. It was also noted that application of the brakes required the pilot to release the control stick. Other than the known wing and brake anomalies, the pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.
MANSFIELD - The pilot of a small airplane suffered minor injuries after his plane taxied off the runway at Mansfield Airport and flipped over Friday around noon.
The pilot identified as Paul LaFratta, the electrical inspector for North Attleboro, emerged from the wreckage with a couple of cuts on his wrist and forehead.
He had to be helped out of the crashed plane by emergency personnel who received the call at 11:55 a.m.
Federal Aviation Adminstration representatives were on scene within about an hour of the incident to conduct an investigation.
Mansfield EMS and fire personnel responded to a call at noon Friday reporting a plane crash at the Mansfield Municipal Airport.
The pilot identified as Paul LaFratta, the electrical inspector for North Attleboro, emerged from the wreckage with a couple of cuts on his wrist and forehead.
He had to be helped out of the crashed plane by emergency personnel who received the call at 11:55 a.m.
Federal Aviation Adminstration representatives were on scene within about an hour of the incident to conduct an investigation.
Mansfield EMS and fire personnel responded to a call at noon Friday reporting a plane crash at the Mansfield Municipal Airport.
The reports stated that a plane was stationary and upside down on the runway and the pilot was trapped with minor injuries.
The pilot was removed and refused transport to a local hospital. According to local sources, the problem arose because of a small fuel leak.
The plane, named Jabiru Calypso, was registered to an Attleboro man, Paul LaFratta, said Jim Peters, a spokesman from the FAA. It is not yet known if he was the pilot of the plane during the crash.
A experimental plane crashed at Mansfield Airport on Friday morning.
The pilot survived with minor injuries. Officials said the plane flipped over as the pilot was doing maneuvers while making his way down the runway.
A small amount of fuel spilled, and emergency crews sprayed the plane with foam.
An airport officials said the plane was a two-seat sport aircraft called a Jabiru.
The airport was shut down most of the afternoon.
A small plane flipped over as it was taking off from the Mansfield Airport yesterday, officials said.
The plane veered off the left side of the Runway 32, and did an 180 degree turn before flipping over around noon, said Kathleen Bergen, spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
The plane, called a Jabiru Calypso, was registered to a North Attleborough man, officials said.
The pilot, who was the only person on the small single engine aircraft, suffered minor injuries and declined to be taken to the hospital, said Mansfield Fire Lt. Richard Fiske.
It was not known if the pilot at the controls today was also the registered owner.
The National Transportation and Safety Board is probing the cause of the incident.
A small plane flipped over as it was taking off from the Mansfield Airport yesterday, officials said.
The plane veered off the left side of the Runway 32, and did an 180 degree turn before flipping over around noon, said Kathleen Bergen, spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
The plane, called a Jabiru Calypso, was registered to a North Attleborough man, officials said.
The pilot, who was the only person on the small single engine aircraft, suffered minor injuries and declined to be taken to the hospital, said Mansfield Fire Lt. Richard Fiske.
It was not known if the pilot at the controls today was also the registered owner.
The National Transportation and Safety Board is probing the cause of the incident.
