# NTSB CEN10CA323: Mcculley Ronald W-8, N8519N, Lamoni, IA, June 12, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 12, 2010, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Lamoni, IA - Coordinates: 40.633056, -93.902221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6331&lon=-93.9022&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 76345 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76345/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76345 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA323 ## Probable cause The non-certificated pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff that exceeded the airplane's performance capability, which resulted in an overrun. ## 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: [Mcculley Ronald A WITTMAN TAILWIND W-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=9790839), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcculley Ronald A WITTMAN TAILWIND W-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=9790839), [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. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcculley Ronald A WITTMAN TAILWIND W-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9790839), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mcculley Ronald A WITTMAN TAILWIND W-8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9790839), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot stated that during takeoff the airplane did not have sufficient speed and did not feel right at a point on runway 36 where the airplane should have lifted off. The pilot then attempted to abort the takeoff, but the airplane overran the runway and nosed over. The airplane empennage was deformed upward and the left wing was deformed downward, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot did not have a pilot certificate and his last airman medical was dated December 18, 1999. The pilot did not have a pilot logbook nor any record of training, currency, or proficiency. Inspection of the airplane revealed that it was over gross weight at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during takeoff the airplane did not have sufficient speed and it did not feel right at a point on runway 36 (2,900 feet by 60 feet, concrete) where the airplane should have lifted off. The pilot then attempted to abort the takeoff, but the airplane overran the runway and nosed over. The airplane empennage was deformed upwards and the left wing was deformed downwards resulting in substantial damage. The pilot did not have a pilot certificate and his last airman medical was dated December 18, 1999. The pilot did not have a pilot logbook nor any record of training, currency, or proficiency. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane was over gross weight at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8519N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8519N-2017-11-01), registration cancelled 2017-11-01, S/N 453, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mcculley Ronald W-8 - Registry model: [Mcculley Ronald A WITTMAN TAILWIND W-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcculley-ronald-a-wittman-tailwind-w-8) (registry code 9790839) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 453 - Airframe hours: 1031 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 19, 2010 - Departed: LWD, Lamoni, IA - Destination: LWD, Lamoni, IA - Airport: LWD, Lamoni Municipal Airport, runway 36, 2,900 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 30 in this make and model, 332 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: LWD ## 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 20100612035029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100612035029A), Jun 12, 2010: Mcculley Ro WITTMAN TAI, Lamoni, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted a take off in an overweight condition. The aircraft failed to reach appropriate speed for take off. Pilot aborted, ran off the end of the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76345. 403 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 403 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332910&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. --- 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.