# Accident 20170731015659A: Chapman Robert E T-BIRD II (TIERRA), Potosi, MO, July 31, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 31, 2017, 08:35 local time
- Place: Potosi, MO
- Airport: Washington County Apt
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.9286° N, 90.7317° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9286&lon=-90.7317&mi=10
- Aircraft: N204BC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N204BC-2018-01-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Chapman Robert E T-BIRD II (TIERRA) (registry code 05612O5, https://openairdocs.org/model/chapman-robert-e-t-bird-ii-tierra) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax SEE BOMBADIER (registry code 55555, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAPMAN ROBERT E T-BIRD II (TIERRA)
- Reported engine: ROTAX 582
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN17LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA293) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170731015659A

## Narrative

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

ON JULY 31, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 0835 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME THE PILOT PERFORMED A NORMAL TAKEOFF FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY AIRPORT (8WC) NEAR POTOSI, MO. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS AIRPLANE MAKE AND MODEL.  AFTER CLIMBING TO APPROXIMATELY 100  150 FEET ABOVE THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT BEGIN A STEEPLY BANKED TURN TO THE RIGHT ALONG WITH AN ABRUPT STEEP NOSE-DOWN CHANGE IN PITCH ATTITUDE.  THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND STRUCK THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 02 IN A PASTURE APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET BELOW THE AIRPORT ELEVATION.

THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS INSPECTED.  CONTROL CABLE CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED ALONG WITH ADEQUATE FUEL AND ENGINE COMPRESSION.  THE REQUIRED CONDITION INSPECTION WAS CURRENT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

THE PILOT SUSTAINED INJURIES OF A BROKEN ANKLE REQUIRING SURGERY, A BACK INJURY REQUIRING SURGERY, ABRASIONS AND CONTUSIONS.

THE PILOT SUGGESTED THE POSSIBILITY OF A TAKE-OFF AND DEPARTURE STALL.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE SEEMED TO BE WALLOWING JUST PRIOR TO MAKING AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT TURN ALONG WITH AN ABRUPT DROP IN PITCH ATTITUDE.  THE PILOT ALSO STATES THAT IN RESPONSE HE APPLIED FULL OPPOSITE AILERON AND RUDDER WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE AIRCRAFT, FURTHER VALIDATING TAKE-OFF AND DEPARTURE STALL.

MULTIPLE MAJOR MODIFICATIONS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDING CHANGE TO THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF THE AILERON AIRFOIL, ADDITION OF FLAPS, ADDITION OF FLAP CONTROLS, AND MODIFICATION TO A TRICYCLE GEAR OF ORIGINAL DESIGN.  NONE OF THESE MODIFICATIONS HAD BEEN ADEQUATELY FLIGHT TESTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE AND ISSUED OPERATING LIMITATIONS.

## 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 CEN17LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA293), Jul 31, 2017: Chapman T-BIRD II (N204BC), Potosi, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of airplane control during a departure turn for reasons that could not be determined.

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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