# NTSB ANC01LA135: Colburn Murphy Rebel, N407AC, Kotzebue, AK, September 6, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 2001, 16:30 local (Sep 6, 2001, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 68.133613, -161.635284
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.1336&lon=-161.6353&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 54922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA135

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff.  Factors associated with the accident were variable winds, and trees.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The certificated airline transport pilot, with one passenger aboard, was departing to the east and downhill from a remote off airport site.  The pilot reported that just after takeoff, the 10 knot prevailing wind shifted from east to west.  The pilot said that the airplane would not climb, and subsequently collided with a stand of trees at the end of the site.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.  The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On September 5, 2001, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Colburn Murphy Rebel, an experimental, homebuilt airplane, N407AC, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from an off airport site located about 78 miles north of Kotzebue, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated airline transport pilot sustained serious injuries, and the one passenger was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the accident site, and was en route to another remote off airport site.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 6, the pilot reported that shortly after a downhill, easterly takeoff, the 10 knot prevailing wind shifted from east to west.  The pilot said that the airplane would not climb, and subsequently collided with a stand of trees at the end of the site.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N407AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N407AC-2001-11-29), registration cancelled 2001-11-29, S/N 231R, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Colburn Murphy Rebel
- Registry model: [Colburn AL MURPHY REBEL](https://openairdocs.org/model/colburn-al-murphy-rebel) (registry code 05601P1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 231R
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles W. Dixon
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: OTZ, Kotzebue, AK
- Destination: OTZ, Kotzebue, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 22, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 4,420 total, 10 in this make and model, 3,860 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20010905024179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010905024179A), Sep 5, 2001: Amtr MURPHYREBEL, Kotzebue, AK, No damage. (-23) During takeoff the wind shifted 180 degrees causing a sudden loss of lift and control, which resulted in the aircraft hitting the trees.

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.

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