# NTSB CEN09CA303: Airborne XT912, N912LM, Newark, IL, May 17, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 17, 2009, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Newark, IL - Coordinates: 41.52111, -88.609169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5211&lon=-88.6092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73859 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73859/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73859 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA303 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, which led to the inability to accelerate to takeoff speed after encountering wet and soft runway conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airborne EDGE XT 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=05901VK), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Airborne EDGE XT 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05901VK), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Airborne EDGE XT 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=05901VK), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Airborne EDGE XT 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05901VK), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Airborne EDGE XT 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05901VK), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Airborne EDGE XT 912, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05901VK), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis During takeoff from a grass runway, the aircraft's landing gear encountered a wet and soft area of runway. Due to the encounter with the wet and soft terrain, the pilot was unable to get the aircraft airborne. The pilot said that the aircraft "slowed down very fast" and the left wing tip impacted terrain. The wing sustained substantial damage and was reported to be "not repairable." ## Factual narrative During takeoff from a grass runway, the aircraft's landing gear encountered a wet and soft area of runway. Due to the encounter with the wet and soft terrain, the pilot was unable to get the aircraft airborne. The aircraft "slowed down very fast" and the left wing tip impacted terrain. The wing sustained substantial damage and was reported to be "not repairable." The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N912LM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N912LM), registered now, S/N XT912-31, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRBORNE XT912 - Registry model: [Airborne EDGE XT 912](https://openairdocs.org/model/airborne-edge-xt-912) (registry code 05901VK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul2) (registry code 55574, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: XT912-31 - Airframe hours: 200 - Engines: Rotax 912UL2 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ludwik Marchwicki - Registered owner: Ludwik Marchwicki - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 10, 2009 - Departed: 0C8, Newark, IL - Destination: 0C8, Newark, IL - Airport: 0C8, Cushing Field Ltd Airport, runway 33, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; flight instructor, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 259 total, 228 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73859. 575 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 575 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314861&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.