# NTSB ANC23LA058: Cort J Neuman Apex, N907AX, Wasilla, AK, August 1, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 1, 2023, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Coordinates: 61.66428, -149.25469
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6643&lon=-149.2547&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192778/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192778
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA058

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance during takeoff, which resulted in impact with trees.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cort J Neuman APEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=05639Z3), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cort J Neuman APEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05639Z3), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cort J Neuman APEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05639Z3), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he planned to take the passenger on a local sightseeing flight. During takeoff from the 1,600 ft. long gravel-covered runway, the airplane performed as expected until reaching about 50 ft above ground level (agl), at which point the climb performance degraded significantly. He observed no change in engine performance or weather conditions. As the airplane neared the end of the runway, he realized that he would not be able to pass over the trees that bordered the airport and attempted to maintain direction control avoiding a heading to the larger trees. The airplane collided with the trees sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N907AX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N907AX), registered now, S/N 1, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CORT J NEUMAN APEX
- Registry model: [Cort J Neuman APEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/cort-j-neuman-apex) (registry code 05639Z3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C1G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c1g) (registry code 42284, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Year built: 2022
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: Custom Aircraft Inc O-360-C1G EXP 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 6, 2023, 31 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 97AK, High Ridge Association Airport, runway 080, 1,800 × 150 ft, gravel
- Equipment: ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; airline transport, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 12,200 total, 131 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 0.2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: PAAQ, 6 nm away
- METAR: PAAQ 012353Z 25006KT 10SM CLR 24/14 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP182 T02440139 10244 20178 56007

## 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 20230801015929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230801015929A), Aug 1, 2023: Cort J Neuman APEX, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Interviewed pilot on 9/6/23; pilot stated he did a thorough preflight with his passenger,[privacy data omitted], and looked carefully at the wind conditions…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192778. 2.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16162276&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA058%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16585775&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA058%20Investigative%20photographs-Rel.pdf

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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