# NTSB BFO93LA042: Asselyn Xenair CH701, N942PS, Durham, ME, March 3, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 3, 1993, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Durham, ME - Location: 43.9645° N, 70.1296° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Durham, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9645&lon=-70.1296&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 July 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8768 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8768/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA042 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LIFT-OFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION AND PROXIMITY OF THE POWER LINE. ## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS BACKYARD AIRSTRIP. HE STATED THAT AFTER REACHING 'TREE TOP LEVEL,' THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED 'A GOOD GUST OF WIND' AND WENT INTO ABOUT A 60 DEGREE LEFT BANK. HE STATED THAT A POWER LINE WAS ABOUT 200 FEET AWAY AND THAT HE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO RECOVER. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE POWER LINE, THEN CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED. ## Factual narrative On March 3, 1993, at about 1600 eastern standard time, an Asselyn Zenair CH701 homebuilt airplane, N942PS, owned and operated by Phillip Peter Asselyn of Durham, Maine, sustained substantial damage at impact with power lines and terrain immediately after takeoff from a private airstrip in Durham. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot: "After preflight and run up I departed my backyard field to the southwest. The weather was clear, about 2 inches of soft snow on the ground and no noticeable wind. The sun was right in my eyes. I proceeded with normal short field takeoff and climbed normally to about tree top level. I had 1/2 flaps in. About tree top level a good gust of wind hit me and the aircraft went into about a 60 [degree] bank to the left. The power lines were only about 200 feet away and I did not have time to recover. I struck the power line and lost consciousness. . . " No mechanical malfunctions were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N942PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N942PS-2002-04-18), registration cancelled 2002-04-18, S/N 7-1568 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ASSELYN XENAIR CH701 (XENAIR CH7) - Registry model: [Asselyn Philip Peter CH-701](https://openairdocs.org/model/asselyn-philip-peter-ch-701) (registry code 05649CP) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-1568 - Airframe hours: 180 - Engines: ROTAX 582 UL 64 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Asselyn, Phillip Peter - Registered owner: Asselyn, Phillip Peter - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1992 - Airport: Grass Strip, runway 20, 700 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 800 total, 180 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F ## 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 19930303004409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930303004409A), Mar 3, 1993: Amtr CH701, Durham, ME, Substantial damage. Wind gust banked aircraft steeply on climbout. Lost control and struck powerline. Aircraft used flaperons. ## Other investigations on N942PS (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA00LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA156), May 14, 2000: Asselyn CH701 (N942PS), Wake Forrest, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper fuel management during a cross country flight resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and his failure to achieve the proper touchdown point during a forced… 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.