# NTSB ATL94LA164: Advance Buccaneer II, Townsville, NC, August 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1994, 18:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Townsville, NC
- Location: 36.4946° N, 78.4236° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Townsville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4946&lon=-78.4236&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA164

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB.

## 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 - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A PRIVATE, GRASS AIRSTRIP. HE REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A BEE OR WASP FLEW INTO THE COCKPIT, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CHANGE HIS TAKEOFF PATTERN. HE PULLED THE AIRCRAFT UP, AND LOST AIRSPEED. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT, AND IMPACTED A TREE. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WITH THE AIRCRAFT LODGED IN THE TREE. THE PILOT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN REVOKED BECAUSE OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT REGISTERED, AND NO MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE LOCATED.

## Factual narrative

On August 23, 1994, at 1855 eastern daylight time, an Advance Aviation Buccaneer II collided with trees during takeoff from a private, grass airstrip in Townsville, North Carolina. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The homebuilt, unregistered aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

A witness, who was at the airstrip waiting to take off behind the accident aircraft, reported that as the aircraft reached about 40 feet above ground level, it veered to the right, and impacted trees. The aircraft came to rest in the trees, with the engine still running. The pilot shut down the engine, and was assisted out of the aircraft.

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, a bee or wasp flew into the cockpit, "which caused me to change my take off pattern." He pulled the aircraft up, and lost airspeed. The aircraft veered to the right, into an oak tree. The motor was still running after the accident.

A search of Federal Aviation Administration records revealed that the pilot's medical certificate had been revoked because of coronary heart disease. The aircraft was owned by the pilot, but was not registered, and no registration number was affixed to the fuselage. There were no maintenance records found which documented any aircraft or engine inspections. The pilot did not comply with 14 CFR Part 830, requiring the completion of the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report).

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ADVANCE AVIATION BUCCANEER II (BUCCANEER)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: ROTAX reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dickerson, William L.
- Registered owner: Dickerson, William L.
- Airport: NONE, None, runway 9, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; flight hours: 400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 40 nm away

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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