# NTSB ATL03LA033: Shaw Atlantica 235FG, N235BW, Melbourne, FL, January 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 10, 2003, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Melbourne, FL - Coordinates: 28.100264, -80.644049 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1003&lon=-80.6440&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Avaition Admin --Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56345 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56345/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56345 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA033 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent liftoff and his failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - aborted - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis According to the pilot, the purpose of the airplane operation was to complete high speed taxi maneuvers as part of the aircraft certification requirement. However, during the high speed taxi, the pilot raised the nose of the airplane and it became airborne. The airplane climbed with a high angle of attack to approximately 100 feet. The pilot then reduced the power to idle and lowered the airplane nose. The airplane collided with the ground as the pilot attempted to recover from the inadvertent flight. No mechanical failures were reported. Examination of the airplane revealed cracks in both wings and collapsed landing gear. Aircraft maintenance logs were not recovered for examination. ## Factual narrative On January 10, 2003, at 1305 eastern standard time, a Shaw Atlantica 235FG, N235BW, registered to and operated by a private owner, collided with the ground shortly after liftoff from runway 27R at Melbourne International Airport, in Melbourne, Florida. The inadvertent flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane departed Melbourne, Florida, on January 10, 2003 at the approximate time of the accident. According to the pilot, the purpose of the airplane operation was to complete high speed taxi maneuvers as part of the aircraft certification requirement. The pilot said there was no intention of flight. However, during the high speed taxi, the pilot raised the nose of the airplane and it became airborne. The airplane climbed with a high angle of attack to approximately 100 feet. The pilot then reduced the power to idle and lowered the airplane nose. The airplane collided with the ground as the pilot attempted to recover from the inadvertent flight. During the collision with the ground the ballistic recovery parachute was deployed, and the airplane was dragged 200 feet off the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed cracks in both wings and collapsed landing gear. Aircraft maintenance logs were not recovered for examination ## Aircraft - Registration: [N235BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N235BW-2012-10-18), registration cancelled 2012-10-18, S/N 001, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Shaw Atlantica 235FG - Registry model: [Shaw Alan ATLANTICA 235 FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/shaw-alan-atlantica-235-fg) (registry code 05611ZD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: LOM M-337AR 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Allan G. Shaw - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, November 9, 2002, 0 hours before - Departed: MLB, Melbourne, FL - Destination: Melbourne, FL - Airport: MLB, Melbourne International, runway 27R, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MLB ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56345. 10 KB in all. - No Document Letter (item 1, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40208799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=No%20Document%20Letter-Master.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. --- 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.