# NTSB CEN09CA553: Warner Lewis Steen, N3278K, Broomfield, CO, August 30, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 30, 2009, 11:58 local (17:58 UTC)
- Place: Broomfield, CO
- Coordinates: 39.908889, -105.117225
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9089&lon=-105.1172&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74634
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA553
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74634/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74634
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA553

## Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control due to an internal mechanical failure of the left wheel that caused the wheel to seize.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Warner Lewis STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05655JM), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Warner Lewis STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=05655JM), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Warner Lewis STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=05655JM), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Warner Lewis STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05655JM), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Warner Lewis STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05655JM), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Warner Lewis STEEN SKYBOLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05655JM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, approximately 35 mph, the airplane veered hard to the left. He tried to regain directional control by applying full right brake and aileron and reducing power but to no avail. The airplane departed the left side of the runway. The right wing struck PAPI (precision approach path indicator) lights and the airplane came to a halt. The airplane was substantially damaged during th impact. Postaccident examination revealed an internal mechanical failure of the left wheel, causing the wheel to seize and the tire to roll off its rim. Sideloads caused the right main landing gear to fail.

## Factual narrative

The pilot said that during the takeoff roll on runway 29R, at approximately 35 mph, the airplane veered hard to the left. He tried to regain control by applying full right brake and aileron and reducing power but to no avail. The airplane departed the left side of the runway. The right wing struck PAPI (precision approach path indicator) lights and the airplane came to a halt southeast of taxiway A2. Post-accident examination by a mechanic and an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed an internal mechanical failure of the left wheel. The wheel seized and the tire rolled off its rim. Sideloads caused the right main landing gear to fail.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3278K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3278K), registered now, S/N 1435609SS, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WARNER LEWIS STEEN
- Registry model: [Warner Lewis STEEN SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/warner-lewis-steen-skybolt) (registry code 05655JM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1435609SS
- Airframe hours: 426
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skybats Inc
- Registered owner: Skybats Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2009
- Departed: BJC, Broomfield, CO
- Destination: BJC, Broomfield, CO
- Airport: BJC, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan, runway 29R, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; flight engineer, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 6, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 42,000 total, 405 in this make and model, 27,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days
- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 17, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 119 total, 4 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: BJC

## 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 20090830017399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090830017399A), Aug 30, 2009: Amtr STEENSKYBOLT, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) During the takeoff roll the left main wheel locked up causing an uncommanded turn to the left. The aircraft veered left and exited the runway striking an…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74634. 4.6 MB in all.

- NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 670 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot's Statement to FAA (item 2, .PDF, 850 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1. Tire tracks leading to PAPI structure. (item 4, .PDF, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319672&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Tire%20tracks%20leading%20to%20PAPI%20structure.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2. Destroyed PAP light platform. (item 5, .PDF, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319673&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Destroyed%20PAP%20light%20platform.-Master.PDF
- Photo 3. Broken PAPI components. (item 6, .PDF, 330 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319674&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Broken%20PAPI%20components.-Master.PDF
- Photo 4. Failed wheel. (item 7, .PDF, 692 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319675&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Failed%20wheel.-Master.PDF
- Photo 5. Failed rim. (item 8, .PDF, 700 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319676&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20Failed%20rim.-Master.PDF
- Photo 6. Broken left wheel parts. (item 9, .PDF, 901 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319677&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20Broken%20left%20wheel%20parts.-Master.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.