Loss of Control on Ground: Titan Tornado II, N49PD; accident occurred October 18, 2019 at Marble Canyon Airport (L41), Coconino County, Arizona

 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Las Vegas, Nevada

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N49PD

Location: Marble Canyon, AZ

Accident Number: GAA20CA036

Date & Time: 10/18/2019, 1400 MST

Registration: N49PD

Aircraft: Titan TITAN TORNADO II

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control on ground

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, a "gust came up," and the airplane exited the runway to the right onto sand hummocks, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with sand hummocks.

Findings

Aircraft

Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues

Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues

Gusts - Effect on operation (Cause)

Sloped/uneven terrain - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff

Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private

Age:65, Male 

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land

Seat Occupied: Front

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None

Restraint Used:

Instrument Rating(s): None

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/01/2011

Occupational Pilot: No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:  10/09/2018

Flight Time:  (Estimated) 694.7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 480.7 hours (Total, this make and model), 598 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 13.7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5.3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Titan

Registration: N49PD

Model/Series: TITAN TORNADO II Undesignated

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 2001

Amateur Built: Yes

Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental

Serial Number: D98912SOHK0310

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/22/2018, Condition

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1200 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines:1 Reciprocating 

Airframe Total Time: 620 Hours at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer: Rotax

ELT: C91A installed, not activated

Engine Model/Series:912UL 

Registered Owner:On file 

Rated Power:80 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: KPGA, 4310 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 2053 UTC

Direction from Accident Site: 54°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Visibility:   

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots / 15 knots

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: Variable

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting:

Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / -23°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Marble Canyon, AZ (L41)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Page, AZ (PGA)

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time:  MST

Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Marble Canyon (L41)

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 3603 ft

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 21

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 3715 ft / 35 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 36.810833, -111.644444 (est)