CEN10CA569

NTSB accident investigation · Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C · Orient, OH · September 26, 2010

Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
September 26, 2010, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
Place
Orient, OH
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N667DFCentral Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C
Defining event
Takeoff: Flight control sys malf/fail
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 16, 2011
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Central Region
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20100926045899A
Case key
77424

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to disconnect the tow bridal line prior to takeoff.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot planned for a short local flight with a passenger between his continuous aero-tow operations. In an effort to expedite the quick passenger flight, the pilot disconnected the tow line; however, he left the V-Bridal line attached to the rudder post of the airplane. The pilot had conducted previous flights in the same configuration without incident. During taxi, the pilot turned the airplane 180 degrees to position it for an upwind takeoff. Shortly after rotation, the pilot experienced an uncommanded right turn. He attempted to counteract the turn to no avail. The airplane impacted terrain with the right wing and right main landing gear. Examination of the airplane by the pilot and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the V-Bridal line became entangled in the rudder and tailwheel during the takeoff.

Factual narrative

The pilot planned for a short local flight with a passenger between on-going aero-tow operations. In order to expedite the quick passenger flight, the pilot disconnected the tow line; however, he left the V-Bridal line attached to the rudder post of the airplane. The pilot had conducted previous flights in the same configuration without incident. During taxi, the pilot turned the airplane 180 degrees to position into the wind for takeoff. Shortly after rotation, the pilot experienced a uncommanded right turn. The pilot attempted to correct; however, he was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain with the right wing and right main landing gear, and the airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by the pilot and Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the V-Bridal line became entangled in the rudder and tail-wheel during the takeoff. The forward fuselage structure was crushed, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer were bent.

Aircraft

Registration
N667DF
Reported as
Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C
Category
Airplane
Serial number
C-88
Airframe hours
251
Engine
Rotax 582, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · May 16, 2010
Departed
PVT · Orient, OH
Destination
PVT · Orient, OH
Airport
PVT · PVT Airstrip

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
51
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
November 22, 2009
Seat
Front
Flight hours
258 total · 182 in this make and model · 200 as pilot in command · 9 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
20° at 5 knots, gusting 10
Visibility
10 statute miles
Temperature
68 °F

Docket · 1

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2010, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 286 KB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N667DF · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.