# NTSB CEN10CA089: Lyman Randall/Scott David Avid Flyer, N491DS, Eldon, MO, December 28, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 28, 2009, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Eldon, MO - Coordinates: 38.360553, -92.571388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3606&lon=-92.5714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Kansas City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75231 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75231/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75231 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to climb or maintain proper airspeed due to the improper pitch setting of the propeller. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Propeller system: propeller assembly](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Lyman Randall/Scott David AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110/cases.md?model=05620UW), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Lyman Randall/Scott David AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05620UW), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Lyman Randall/Scott David AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=05620UW), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Lyman Randall/Scott David AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05620UW), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was preparing the homebuilt airplane for its first flight for the owner. He said that on the morning of the accident the airplane's engine was run for approximately 30 minutes for break-in at full power. After the engine run the cowling was reinstalled and the engine ran for an additional 15 minutes. Subsequently, the pilot performed taxi testing of the airplane. He had made 2 taxi tests to about 40 miles per hour, which he estimated would be the airplane's approximate stall speed. He stated that on the third taxi test, when about two-thirds of the way down the runway, a gust of wind caused the airplane to become airborne. The pilot stated that when he was able to get the airplane under control there was insufficient runway remaining to perform a landing and he decided to continue and return for landing. He stated that this was to be a taxi test only and that he had no intention to fly the airplane at that time. While attempting to climb, the pilot noticed that the engine speed was too high and he was not able to climb effectively. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane back to the airport to make a downwind landing, but the airplane began to stall. He stated that he lowered the nose and determined that he would not be able to make the runway. As the airplane's altitude decayed, the pilot pulled back on the stick and the airplane struck the ground. The pilot stated that he believed that the pitch setting of the airplane's propeller was improper, which did not allow proper thrust production for flight. During the accident the propeller blades were fragmented and determination of the installed pitch setting could not be obtained. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was preparing the homebuilt airplane for its first flight for the owner. He said that on the morning of the accident the airplane's engine was run for approximately 30 minutes for break-in at full power. After the engine run the cowling was re-installed and the engine run for an additional 15 minutes. Subsequently, the pilot performed taxi testing of the airplane. He had made 2 taxi tests to about 40 miles per hour which he estimated would be approximately stall speed for the airplane. He stated that on the third taxi test, when about two-thirds of the way down the runway, a gust of wind caused the airplane to become airborne. The pilot stated that when he was able to get the airplane under control there was insufficient runway remaining to perform a landing and he decided to continue and return for landing. He stated that this was to be a taxi test only and that he had no intention to fly the airplane at that time. While attempting to climb, the pilot noticed that the engine speed was too high and he was not able to climb effectively. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane back to the airport to make a downwind landing, but the airplane began to stall. He stated that he lowered the nose and determined that he would not be able to make the runway. As the airplane's altitude decayed, the pilot pulled back on the stick and the airplane struck the ground. The pilot stated that he believed that the pitch setting of the airplane's propeller was improper which did not allow proper thrust production for flight. During the accident the propeller blades were fragmented and determination of the installed pitch setting could not be obtained. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N491DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N491DS-2016-08-29), registration cancelled 2016-08-29, S/N 491 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LYMAN RANDALL/SCOTT DAVID AVID FLYER - Registry model: [Lyman Randall/Scott David AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/lyman-randall-scott-david-avid-flyer) (registry code 05620UW) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 491 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: H79, Eldon, MO - Destination: H79, Eldon, MO - Airport: H79, Eldon Model Airpark, runway 36, 3,300 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 0 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 13 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: AIZ, 16 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 20091228053139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091228053139A), Dec 28, 2009: Lyman Randa AVID FLYER, Eldon, MO, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he did not intend to fly; however, the aircraft became airborne and with insufficient runway remaining to land, decided to remain… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75231. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325401&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.