# NTSB ANC06LA087: Kennedy Chinook Plus 2, N9077M, Willow, AK, July 2, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 2006, 06:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.775276, -149.857223 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7753&lon=-149.8572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage, FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 64088 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64088/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees. A factor associated with the accident was an inadvertent stall. ## 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 - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The private pilot was conducting the first test flight of the experimental amateur-built airplane under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot said he elected to takeoff from a dirt road near his house. He reported that when he applied takeoff power the airplane climbed steeply, and he was unable to get the nose down. He said he reduced engine power, and mushed the airplane into the trees at the side of the road. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. An FAA aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane after the accident, said he did not discover any preaccident mechanical anomalies. In his report to the NTSB, the pilot wrote, in part: "I believe I did a departure stall by letting it fly too soon." ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2006, about 0645 Alaska daylight time, a Kennedy Chinook Plus 2 experimental amateur-built airplane, N9077M, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees, following a loss of control during takeoff-initial climb, about 6 miles east of Willow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 13, the pilot stated he had just completed the amateur-built airplane, and elected to make the first test flight by taking off from a dirt roadway near his residence. He reported when he applied takeoff power the airplane climbed steeply, and he was unable to lower the nose. He said he reduced engine power, and the airplane settled into the trees alongside the roadway. He indicated the wings and fuselage received substantial damage during the landing. On July 18, the IIC spoke with an FAA aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane after the accident. The inspector said he did not discover any preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. In a written statement dated July 16, contained in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot wrote that after takeoff he moved the stick forward to remain in ground effect, but could not get the tail to come up, and the airplane climbed steeply. He reported that his shoulder harness precluded him from being able to push the stick all the way forward. He noted that he reduced the throttle, and with full back stick, mushed the airplane into the trees at the side of the road. In the portion of the report titled: Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), he wrote, in part: " I believe I did a departure stall by letting it fly too soon." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9077M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9077M-2022-12-07), registration cancelled 2022-12-07, S/N 02272XS, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kennedy Chinook Plus 2 - Registry model: [Kennedy Rockne L CHINOOK PLUS 2XS](https://openairdocs.org/model/kennedy-rockne-l-chinook-plus-2xs) (registry code 05621HZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 02272XS - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: Rotax 912 UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rockne Kennedy - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2006, 2 hours before - Departed: Willow, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 0 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.