# NTSB ATL95LA083: Kirkpatrick Super GT 400, N12SK, Pleasant Hill, TN, April 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 15, 1995, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Pleasant Hill, TN - Coordinates: 35.980773, -85.200996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9808&lon=-85.2010&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 June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3550 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3550/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA083 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, THE PERIMETER TREES, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLYING EXPERIENCE. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM HIS PRIVATE, SOD AIRSTRIP, WHICH WAS 600 FEET LONG. TREES BORDERED THE PERIMETER OF THE FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS THE REGISTERED ULTRALIGHT CLIMBED ABOVE THE TREE LINE, HEAVY CROSSWINDS BLEW THE AIRCRAFT DOWN TOWARD THE TREES. THE PILOT COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT, AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES. THE PILOT DID NOT POSSESS AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE, AND HAD LOGGED ABOUT 36 HOURS TOTAL FLYING TIME. ## Factual narrative On April 15, 1995, at 1745 central daylight time, a Kirkpatrick Super GT 400, N12SK, collided with trees and terrain following an in flight loss of control at Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. The pilot had minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The homebuilt aircraft was operated under the provisions of 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. The pilot reported he was performing a takeoff from his private, sod airstrip, 600 feet in length. He was taking off to the north, and the surface winds were out of the north. There were trees located at the north end of the airstrip. He waited for the wind to diminish, then he attempted the takeoff. As the aircraft climbed above the height of the trees, "heavy cross wind got me and blew me 180 degrees." The wind then blew the aircraft toward the trees. He pulled up on the elevator control, and the wind again blew the aircraft toward the trees. He was not able to pull out of the descent, and the aircraft collided with the trees at "full throttle." He estimated the wind speed to be about 15 miles per hour, with some gusts prevailing. The pilot's son witnessed the accident. He reported that the wind "blew him (the pilot) sideways in(to) the ground." The son assisted his father out of the aircraft, and reported that the engine was still running when he reached the accident site, although the wooden propeller blades were shattered. The pilot reported a total flying time of 36 hours, including 30 hours in this make and model. He did not possess any airman certificates, and did not possess a medical certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12SK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12SK-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 1185, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: KIRKPATRICK SUPER GT 400 (SUPER GT 4) - Registry model: [Kirkpatrick Stephen P SUPER GT 400](https://openairdocs.org/model/kirkpatrick-stephen-p-super-gt-400) (registry code 05612FV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Ultralight, amateur-built - Serial number: 1185 - Airframe hours: 268 - Engines: ROTAX 503 46 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bennett, Michael T. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, None, runway 36, 600 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; medical: unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 36 total, 30 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CSV, 7 nm away ## 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 19950415008069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950415008069A), Apr 15, 1995: Amtr SUPERGT400, Pleasant Hill, TN, Substantial damage. Turbulent air and downdrafts caused loss of control and crash into trees on takeoff. 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.