# NTSB CEN09CA366: Sabre 2PL, N2811P, Harrison, NE, June 16, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 16, 2009, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, NE
- Coordinates: 42.807498, -103.663055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8075&lon=-103.6631&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA366
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74074/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74074
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA366

## Probable cause

A loss of directional control for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sabre 2PL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05904RP), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Sabre 2PL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05904RP), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Sabre 2PL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05904RP), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The sport pilot was performing a takeoff from a private grass strip for his first solo flight in a weight-shift airplane. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane entered an uncommanded left bank. The pilot attempted to level the wing, but was unable to regain control of the weight-shift airplane. The weight-shift airplane continued a left turn, descended, and impacted terrain. The cause of the uncommanded left bank could not be determined. Due to the remote location, an examination of the wreckage was not conducted by a federal agency.

## Factual narrative

The sport pilot was performing a takeoff from a private grass strip for his first solo flight in a weight-shift airplane. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane entered an uncommanded left bank. The pilot attempted to level the wing, but was unable to regain control of the weight-shift airplane. The weight-shift airplane continued a left turn, descended, and impacted terrain. The cause of the uncommanded left bank could not be determined. Due to the remote location, an examination of the wreckage was not conducted by a federal agency.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2811P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2811P-2010-04-12), registration cancelled 2010-04-12, S/N S020648, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SABRE 2PL
- Registry model: [Sabre 2PL](https://openairdocs.org/model/sabre-2pl) (registry code 05904RP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Weight-shift
- Serial number: S020648
- Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dan Coffee
- Registered owner: Pitman Ed D
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Departed: Harrison, NE
- Destination: Harrison, NE
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: runway 36, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 5, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 200 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 50 °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 20090616010769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090616010769A), Jun 16, 2009: Sabre 2PL, Harrison, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) The sport pilot was performing a takeoff from a private grass strip for his first solo flight in a weight-shift airplane. Shortly after takeoff, the…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74074. 589 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 589 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315840&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.

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