The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Herndon, Virginia
Lycoming Engines; Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N808DD
The Duo Deuce is pictured before the accident, while it was still under construction.Location: Stafford, VA
Accident Number: ERA16LA204
Date & Time: 06/06/2016, 1759 EDT
Registration: N808DD
Aircraft: BOBBI BOUCHER DUO DEUCE
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Flight Test
Analysis
The commercial pilot was also the owner and builder of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, which was a twin-engine airplane built from a single-engine airplane kit. The accident flight was the airplane's first flight, and it was captured by two airport security cameras as well as an on-board video recorded with the pilot's cell phone. The videos revealed that the airplane performed a shallow takeoff and initial climb. Almost immediately after takeoff, the airplane's track diverged from the runway centerline toward the right side of the runway and over the grass apron. Both propellers were operating at the same speed during the takeoff roll and throughout the entire flight. The airplane stopped climbing at what appeared to be treetop height, the wings rocked, and the airplane's nose continued to pitch up as it descended until ground contact, consistent with an aerodynamic stall.
Although the pilot provided multiple statements that differed in their accounting of events after the accident, postaccident visual examination of the wreckage, the cell phone video of the propellers, and an operational test of the right engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, it is likely that the pilot did not attain adequate airspeed for the takeoff and initial climb, which resulted in an exceedance of the critical angle of attack and subsequent aerodynamic stall.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
Findings
Aircraft
Angle of attack - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Factual Information
On June 6, 2016, at 1759 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Duo Deuce, N808DD, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain after takeoff from Stafford Regional Airport (RMN), Stafford, Virginia. The commercial pilot, who was also the owner/builder was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the initial test flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
In an interview with a police officer just after the accident, the pilot reported that during the initial climb after takeoff, both engines experienced a "sudden" loss of power. She identified an open area for a forced landing, and upon touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector, the pilot stated that the engine run-up was "normal and everything was fine." During the takeoff roll, the airplane reached "flying speed," the nose lifted from the runway, and she advanced the throttles to 2,700 rpm. As the airplane became airborne, the "left wing came up but the right wing was down." The pilot stated she added left rudder and left aileron, but realized the airplane was "eating up a lot of runway" and there was insufficient runway remaining on which to land. She turned the airplane right to avoid the interstate highway that ran perpendicular to the runway beyond the departure end. According to the pilot, "I stalled I guess, I hit the ground pretty hard."
In a subsequent telephone interview with an NTSB investigator, the pilot stated she did not recall the conversation with the police officer, and stated that the right engine stopped producing power. In a media interview several months later, the pilot reported she remembered "every detail" of the accident flight, and said that when she taxied the airplane onto the runway at RMN, the purpose was to perform a "high speed taxi" and that the subsequent takeoff was "inadvertent." After takeoff, the airplane experienced "engine failure" followed by an aerodynamic stall.
Several witnesses provided written statements. One witness was well-acquainted with the pilot and said that he was there to assist her with the flight. In his statement, he referred to the flight as both a "test flight" as well as the "first flight" for the airplane. The witnesses described the takeoff and climb as "slow," stating that the airplane was "wobbling" and the wings were "rocking." One witness estimated that the airplane climbed to about 300 feet above the runway before it slowly descended.
A review of videos recorded from two airport security cameras, as well as an on-board video recorded with the pilot's cellphone revealed a shallow takeoff and initial climb. Almost immediately after takeoff, the airplane's track diverged from the runway centerline off the right side of the runway and over the grass apron. The climb stopped at what appeared to be treetop height, the wings rocked, and the airplane continued to pitch up as it descended until ground contact. The instrument panel could not be viewed, but the propeller speeds appeared constant and both propellers appeared to be turning at the same speed during the takeoff roll and the entire flight until ground contact.
Examination of photographs revealed the airplane remained largely intact, with the left engine separated. Both wings and the tail section were substantially damaged.
According to FAA records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land and sea, and a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine. She was issued an FAA second-class medical certificate on October 29, 2015, and reported 6,420 total hours of flight experience on that date.
The two-seat, twin-engine, low-wing airplane, equipped with two Lycoming IO-320-B1A engines was initially registered in 2013, and issued an airworthiness certificate on March 19, 2016. The pilot modified a Van's Aircraft, Inc., RV-8 single engine airplane kit. Instead of the nose-mounted, single-engine configuration for which the kit was designed, the airplane was configured with two wing-mounted engines.
Examination of maintenance records revealed the engines were previously owned, and installed on an airplane that was involved in an accident on February 19, 2008. Each engine experienced a propeller strike event during that accident sequence. The records did not indicate that a mandatory sudden-stoppage inspection had been performed on either engine after the event and prior to their installation on N808DD.
The airplane's instrument panel was equipped with an iPad mount, and a telephone was mounted above and behind the pilot. Both the iPad and the telephone were requested so that the original media could be examined. The pilot refused to provide either device; however, she provided a 33-second-long video file, which was consistent with the vantage point of the cockpit mounted cell phone.
Throughout the takeoff roll, flight, and subsequent impact with terrain, the effect of the video camera's rolling shutter effects on the representation of each propeller did not substantially change. Because the distortion of each propeller due to rolling shutter was consistent, the recording suggested each propeller's rpm remained at an unquantified but mostly steady state.
The airplane was subsequently recovered to Shannon Regional Airport, Fredericksburg, Virginia, where it was examined by representatives of the NTSB and Lycoming Engines. In addition, a test run of the right engine, which remained mounted in its nacelle and attached to the airframe was performed.
The constant-speed propeller was damaged during the accident sequence. It was removed, an expansion plug was seated in the front of the crankshaft, and a fixed-pitch propeller was mounted. The airplane was pushed out to the taxiway apron, jumper cables were attached to an airport service vehicle and the airplane's battery, and an engine start was attempted utilizing the airplane's own fuel system.
The engine was started, and it ran smoothly and continuously until engine oil sprayed in the propeller wash. The engine was stopped, the propeller was removed, the crankshaft expansion plug was reseated, the engine was serviced with oil, and another engine start was initiated.
The engine started and idled smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. The throttle was increased and decreased, and the engine ran smoothly through the power changes. Engine oil pressure and fuel flow indications were consistent with the throttle position as it was changed.
With full throttle application, approximately 2,200 rpm was observed on the aircraft tachometer. The engine ran roughly, consistent with a lean fuel/air mixture setting. Fuel flow as noted on the digital flow meter was approximately 19 gallons per hour (gph). Typical fuel flow requirements for the subject engine operating at this power setting would be 8.5 gph based on a lean limit mixture setting and approximately 10 gph based on a best power mixture setting. The abnormality noted with the digital flow indication system was consistent with air entering the fuel system, resulting in acceleration of the flow scan vein and high fuel flow indications. The fuel flow abnormality as noted was consistent with air entering upstream of the engine on the airframe side of the fuel system.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 62, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Multi-engine Sea; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/29/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 6420 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0.5 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: BOBBI BOUCHER
Registration: N808DD
Model/Series: DUO DEUCE NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 007
Landing Gear Type:Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/10/2016, Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection: 0 Hours
Engines: Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 0.5 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: IO-320-B!A
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRMN, 211 ft msl
Observation Time: 1753 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 330°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 16°C
Lowest Ceiling: Obscured
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots, 190°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.74 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Stafford, VA (RMN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Stafford, VA (RMN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: STAFFORD RGNL (RMN)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 211 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 15
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5000 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 38.392222, -77.316667 (est)
NTSB Identification: ERA16LA204
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, June 06, 2016 in Stafford, VA
Aircraft: BOBBI BOUCHER DUO DEUCE, registration: N808DD
Injuries: 1 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On June 6, 2016, at 1759 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Duo Deuce, N808DD, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain after takeoff from Stafford Regional Airport (RMN), Stafford, Virginia. The commercial pilot/owner/builder was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the initial test flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
In an interview with a police officer just after the accident, the pilot reported that during the initial climb after takeoff, both engines experienced a "sudden" loss of power. She identified an open area for the forced landing, and upon touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
In a subsequent telephone interview, the pilot stated that she did not recall the conversation with the officer, and stated the right engine stopped producing power.
Several witnesses provided statements, and they described the takeoff and climb as "slow," stating that the airplane was "wobbling" and the wings were "rocking." One witness estimated that the airplane climbed to about 300 feet above the runway, before it slowly descended.
A review of videos recorded from two airport security cameras, as well as an on-board video recorded with the pilot's cellphone revealed a shallow takeoff and initial climb. Almost immediately after takeoff, the airplane's track diverged from the runway centerline off the right side of the runway and over the grass apron. The climb stopped at what appeared to be treetop height, the wings rocked, and the airplane continued to pitch up as it descended until ground contact. The instrument panel could not be viewed, but the propeller speeds appeared constant and both propellers appeared to be turning at the same speed during the takeoff roll and the entire flight until ground contact.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine land and sea, and instructor ratings for airplane single and multiengine. She was issued an FAA second-class medical certificate on October 29, 2015, and reported 6,420 total hours of flight experience on that date.
The two-seat, twin-engine, low-wing airplane was manufactured in 2013, and was equipped with two Lycoming IO-320-B1A engines. The pilot/owner/builder modified a Van's Aircraft, Inc., RV-8 single engine airplane kit. Instead of the nose-mounted, single-engine configuration for which the kit was designed, the airplane was equipped with two wing-mounted engines.
Examination of photographs revealed the airplane remained largely intact, with the left engine separated. Both wings and the tail section were substantially damaged. The airplane was retained for a detailed examination at a later date. STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (WUSA9) -- A small plane crash landed near Interstate I-95 in Stafford County on Monday evening.
Police say the plane crashed near the southbound lanes of I-95 near the 137 mile marker around 5:33 p.m.
The pilot 62-year-old Roberta A. Boucher survived the crash and was transported to Mary Washington Hospital where she was treated for series, but non-life threatening injuries.
Authorities say the experimental aircraft was conducting a high-speed taxi on the runway of Stafford Regional Airport when the plane unintentionally lifted off the runway.
The aircraft cleared the Centreport Park before crash landing near the southbound lanes of I-95.
Original article can be found here: http://www.wusa9.com
STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (ABC7) — A small plane made a crash-landing near Interstate 95 in Stafford County around 5:22 p.m. Monday, according to Virginia State Police.
The pilot, 62-year-old Roberta Boucher of Fredericksburg, was reported to have survived the incident.
In a statement sent to ABC7, Virginia State Police report the following took place:
"An experimental aircraft was conducting a high-speed taxi on the runway of the Stafford Regional Airport, when the aircraft unintentionally lifted off the runway. The aircraft cleared the Centreport Parkway before crash-landing into an embankment alongside the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 at the 137 mile marker. The pilot, Roberta A. Boucher, 62, of Fredericksburg, Va., survived the crash and was transported to Mary Washington Hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The FAA is responding to the scene. The NTSB was also notified. The crash investigation by state police remains ongoing at this time."
Police say the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 were reopened around 6 p.m.
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