# NTSB ANC05CA092: Sweeney Preceptor Ultra Pup, N106TB, Chitina, AK, July 4, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2005, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Chitina, AK
- Coordinates: 61.521389, -144.135559
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5214&lon=-144.1356&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA092

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, and his premature lift-off resulting in a stall due to inadequate airspeed.  The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff was a contributing factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - grass
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The commercial certificated pilot reported he was taking off in a homebuilt airplane from a grass airstrip.  He stated that the airplane did not accelerate as quickly as anticipated due to the matted, grassy runway surface, and he elected to "pull the airplane into the air."  The airplane was unable to maintain flying speed, and settled into trees off the departure end of the airstrip.  There were no injuries to the pilot or sole passenger.  The wings and fuselage of the airplane sustained structural damage.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 2005, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped experimental Sweeney Preceptor Ultra Pup airplane, N106TB, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees, following an uncontrolled descent during takeoff initial climb from a private airstrip, 10 miles east of Chitina, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The commercial certificated pilot and sole passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) received July 13, the pilot wrote that due to the condition of the grass airstrip, the airplane did not accelerate as fast as he had anticipated, and he elected to "pull the airplane off the ground."  He reported that as the airplane attempted to climb he tried to make a left turn toward open ground, but the airplane settled into trees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N106TB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Sweeney Preceptor Ultra Pup
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: VW 2180CC reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley Bernard
- Registered owner: Stanley E. Bernard
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Chitina, AK
- Destination: 0AK1, Anderson Lake, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,175 total, 5 in this make and model, 49 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050704017279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050704017279A), Jul 4, 2005: Amtr ULTRAPUP, Chitina, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed a Private grass strip without adequate airspeed to prevent a stall and clear barriers. The aircraft settled into the trees on the…

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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