# NTSB CEN09LA276: Hawkins August E Aventura II, N20GH, Griffith, IN, May 2, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 2009, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Griffith, IN
- Coordinates: 41.519721, -87.399444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5197&lon=-87.3994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-South Bend FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73777/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73777
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA276

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airspeed indicator due to separation of the pitot-static line at the left wing root.

## 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: [Hawkins August E AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05621R3), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hawkins August E AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621R3), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Navigation system: airspeed/mach indicating](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023414): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Hawkins August E AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023414/cases.md?model=05621R3), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023414/cases.md)
- [Navigation system: pitot/static system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023411): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Hawkins August E AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023411/cases.md?model=05621R3), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023411/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Flight instrument malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334); cases with it: [Hawkins August E AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334/sequence.md?model=05621R3), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Hawkins August E AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05621R3), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hawkins August E AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05621R3), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airspeed indicator failed during takeoff. He elected to continue the takeoff because there was insufficient distance to stop on the remaining runway. The pilot intended to remain in the traffic pattern and return for landing. However, as the pilot turned to left crosswind the airplane became difficult to control, pitched down and impacted the ground. A post accident examination revealed that the tubing from the pitot tube was disconnected from a mating length of tubing located at the left wing root. The left wing root structure was intact and impact damage did not appear to have contributed to the pitot static system discontinuity. No other anomalies associated with a pre-impact failure were observed.

## Factual narrative

On May 2, 2009, about 0740 central daylight time, an amateur-built Hawkins Aventura II airplane,N20GH, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with terrain after takeoff from runway 26 (4,900 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at Griffith-Merrillville Airport (05C), Griffith, Indiana. The flight was being conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The local flight departed immediately prior to the accident. The pilot stated that the airspeed indicator failed during takeoff. He elected to continue the takeoff because there was insufficient distance to stop on the remaining runway. The pilot intended to remain in the traffic pattern and return for landing. However, as he turned to left crosswind the airplane became difficult to control, pitched down and impacted the ground. The pilot noted that he was briefly knocked unconscious. When he regained consciousness, the engine was still running and he shut it off. The airplane came to rest in a swampy area about 600 feet south of the runway. The amateur-built aircraft sustained damage to the left wing and left side of the nose. A post accident examination revealed a discontinuity in the pitot-static system. Specifically, tubing from the pitot tube was disconnected from a mating length of tubing located at the left wing root. The left wing remained attached to the fuselage at the wing root and the wing root structure was intact. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No other anomalies associated with a pre-impact failure were observed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20GH-2009-09-14), registration cancelled 2009-09-14, S/N AA2A0123, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HAWKINS AUGUST E AVENTURA II
- Registry model: [Hawkins August E AVENTURA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/hawkins-august-e-aventura-ii) (registry code 05621R3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: AA2A0123
- Airframe hours: 140
- Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 26, 2009
- Departed: 05C, Griffith, IN
- Destination: 05C, Griffith, IN
- Airport: 05C, Griffith-Merrillville, runway 26, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 1,790 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,732 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: GYY, 6 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 20090502011249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090502011249A), May 2, 2009: Amtr AVENTURAII, Griffith, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that this was the first flight after installation of a new engine. Pilot stated that on takeoff from runway 26 the airspeed indicator…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 16, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73777. 966 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 966 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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