# NTSB CEN10CA415: Skykits Savannah VGW, N391EU, Bison, SD, July 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2010, 18:40 local (Jul 7, 2010, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Bison, SD - Coordinates: 45.518333, -102.467781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5183&lon=-102.4678&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO-RAP - NTSB case key (mKey): 76695 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA415 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76695/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76695 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA415 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after encountering a gust of wind while taking off with a crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Skykits SAVANNAH VGW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=069001D), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Skykits SAVANNAH VGW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=069001D), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Skykits SAVANNAH VGW, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=069001D), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Skykits SAVANNAH VGW, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=069001D), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: [Skykits SAVANNAH VGW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=069001D), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Skykits SAVANNAH VGW, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=069001D), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he applied right aileron to correct for a 9-knot crosswind during takeoff. The airplane encountered a gust of wind just after liftoff about 5 feet above the runway. The pilot stated that he "over-reacted" in applying right aileron and lowering the nose of the aircraft. The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway, where it descended into 30- to 36-inch-tall grass. The right wing tip contacted the ground followed by the rest of the airplane, causing substantial damage to the right wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he applied right aileron to correct for a 9 knot crosswind during takeoff. The airplane encountered a gust of wind just after liftoff about 5 feet above the runway. The pilot stated he "over-reacted" in applying right aileron and lowering the nose of the aircraft. The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway where it descended into 30 to 36 inch tall grass. The right wingtip contacted the ground followed by the rest of the airplane. Substantial damage resulted to the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N391EU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N391EU), registered now, S/N 08-11-51-786, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SKYKITS CORP SAVANNAH VGW - Registry model: [Skykits SAVANNAH VGW](https://openairdocs.org/model/skykits-savannah-vgw) (registry code 060007K) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 08-11-51-786 - Airframe hours: 48 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Ken Morhain - Registered owner: Ken Morhain - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: 6V5, Bison, SD - Destination: MLS, Miles City, MT - Airport: 6V5, Bison Municipal Airport, runway 29, 3,500 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,463 total, 410 in this make and model, 1,463 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 13 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg ## 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 20100706038439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100706038439A), Jul 6, 2010: Skykits Cor SAVANNAH VG, Bison, SD, Substantial damage. This accident occurred on 7-6-2010 at about 1830 MDT. The pilot was delivering the aircraft from tennesse to alaksa. Pilot was taking off on runway 29 at… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76695. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334311&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.