Loss of Control on Ground: Jungster I, N47BT; accident occurred March 13, 2022 at Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (KRKS), Rock Springs, Wyoming

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Denver, Colorado

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N47BT

Location: Rock Springs, Wyoming

Accident Number: WPR22LA121

Date and Time: March 13, 2022, 09:45 Local

Registration: N47BT

Aircraft: TUTTLE BRUCE C JUNGSTER I

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control on ground 

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, after the tailwheel came off the ground, the airplane veered left and exited the side of the runway. The pilot rotated the airplane to lift off the ground and remain in ground effect, but the main landing gear impacted a snowbank. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. 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, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Takeoff Runway excursion

Takeoff Collision during takeoff/land

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 

Age: 75, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 

Seat Occupied: Single

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None

Restraint Used: 5-point

Instrument Rating(s): None 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: August 13, 2021

Occupational Pilot: No 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: January 13, 2022

Flight Time: 1000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2 hours (Total, this make and model), 1000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 50 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: TUTTLE BRUCE C

Registration: N47BT

Model/Series: JUNGSTER I 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 2007 

Amateur Built:

Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)

Serial Number: 871106

Landing Gear Type:

Tailwheel Seats: 1

Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 31, 2021 Condition 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1060 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 2 Hrs 

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 43 Hrs as of last inspection 

Engine Manufacturer: Continental

ELT: Not installed

Engine Model/Series: O-200

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 100

Operator: On file 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KRKS,6759 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 09:54 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 91°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4500 ft AGL 

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 5000 ft AGL

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 12 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 280° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / -6°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Rock Springs, WY

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Laramie, WY (LAR)

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 

Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Southwest Wyoming Regional RKS 

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 6764 ft msl 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 21

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 5228 ft / 75 ft 

VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries:

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude:  41.594222,-109.06519