Tuesday, September 05, 2017

Pietenpol GN-1, N168BD: Accident occurred September 02, 2017 in Elba, Coffee County, Alabama

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Location: Elba, AL
Accident Number: GAA17CA545
Date & Time: 09/02/2017, 0900 EDT
Registration: N168BD
Aircraft: DEDEAUX GARY G GN-1
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported in a written statement that, after a "successful pre-check," he initiated power for takeoff, and once airborne, "the plane was losing power enough that [the] plane would not clear [the] tree line at the end of the runway." He added that, about 10 ft above the runway, he aborted the takeoff by "throttling back" and made a hard landing on the grass runway. The pilot reported that during the landing, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid for about 50 ft on the runway before stopping.

The left wing, fuselage, and engine mounts sustained substantial damage.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector reported that, about 3 weeks after the accident, the pilot called him to add to his original statement. According to the inspector, the pilot reported that the engine was not losing power, he overreacted to the situation, and put the airplane back on the ground too quickly. The pilot further reported that the airplane did not gain altitude because he did not apply elevator input quickly enough to execute a proper takeoff. The pilot added that he rotated at the speed he normally does when he flies single pilot, but during this flight, he had one passenger on board.

The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report and did not return phone calls from the NTSB investigator-in-charge.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: 
The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the initial climb, which resulted in his decision to abort the takeoff and a subsequent hard landing.

Findings

Aircraft

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Environmental issues
Soft surface - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Initial climb
Loss of control in flight
Takeoff-rejected takeoff

Miscellaneous/other
Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Landing
Hard landing 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 1200 hours (Total, all aircraft), 71 hours (Total, this make and model), 11 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: DEDEAUX GARY G
Registration: N168BD
Model/Series: GN-1 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: 4705G
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines:  Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: 
Engine Model/Series: C85-12F
Registered Owner: DEDEAUX GARY G.
Rated Power: 75 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: KLOR, 361 ft msl
Observation Time: 1358 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 25 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 120°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 25°C / 22°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots, 20°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV): 
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Elba, AL (NONE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Elba, AL (NONE)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0900 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  31.455833, -86.098333 (est)

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Birmingham, Alabama

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N168BD

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA545
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, September 02, 2017 in Elba, AL
Aircraft: DEDEAUX GARY G GN-1, registration: N168BD
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported in a written statement that, after a "successful pre-check," he initiated power for takeoff and once airborne, "the plane was losing power enough that [the] plane would not clear [the] tree line at the end of the runway." He added that, about 10 ft. above the runway, he aborted the takeoff by "throttling back" and made a hard landing on the grass runway. The pilot reported that during the landing, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid for about 50 ft. on the runway before stopping.

The left wing, fuselage, and engine mounts sustained substantial damage. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector reported that, about 3 weeks after the accident, the pilot called him to add to his original statement. According to the inspector, the pilot reported that the engine was not losing power, he overacted to the situation, and put the airplane back on the ground too quickly. The pilot further reported that, the airplane was not gaining altitude because he didn't give the input to the elevator at a fast enough rate to execute a proper takeoff.

The FAA inspector added during a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, he rotated at the speed he normally does when single pilot, but during this flight he had one passenger on board. 

The pilot failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report and did not return the phone calls from the NTSB investigator-in-charge.

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