# Accident 20091025025669A: Elkins Edwa CHRISTEN EA, Athens, KY, October 25, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 25, 2009, 15:00 local time
- Place: Athens, KY
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.9422° N, 84.3589° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9422&lon=-84.3589&mi=10
- Aircraft: N78E, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78E-2018-11-26) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Elkins Edward J CHRISTEN EAGLE II (registry code 05658TD, https://openairdocs.org/model/elkins-edward-j-christen-eagle-ii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming AEIO-360 series (registry code 41522, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ELKINS EDWA CHRISTEN EA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING AEIO-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 24,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA10CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA033) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091025025669A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON THE DEPARTURE TAKE OFF FROM A 3500 FOOT PRIVATE GRASS STRIP THE SUBJECT PILOT INITIATED LIFT OFF AT A SLOWER THAN NORMAL GROUND SPEED.  IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN SPEED, THE PILOT NOSED THE AIRCRAFT OVER AND ACCELERATED.  HE SUBSEQUENTLY RECONTACTED THE SURFACE OF THE RUNWAY, HARD, WITH THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR PRIOR TO BECOMING AIRBORNE. UPON IMPACT, THE PILOT HEARD A METALLIC SOUND.  THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE SAME GRASS STRIP IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND AND INSPECT THE AIRCRAFT FOR DAMAGE.  UPON LANDING, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR FAILED AND THE AIRCRAFT SLID ON ITS BELLY TO A STOP.  A PROP STRIKE AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE OCCURRED AS A RESULT.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POST CRASH FIRE.  VISUAL METEROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA10CA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA033), Oct 25, 2009: Elkins Christen Eagle II (N78E), Athens, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper liftoff, resulting in a collision with the ground during climbout.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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