# NTSB CEN10CA569: Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C, N667DF, Orient, OH, September 26, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 26, 2010, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Orient, OH
- Coordinates: 39.685001, -83.071662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6850&lon=-83.0717&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA569
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77424/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77424
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA569

## Probable cause

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

## 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: [Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=05901ZQ), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md)
- [Empennage structure: rudder](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035540): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified; cases with it: [Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035540/cases.md?model=05901ZQ), [All aircraft, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035540/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05901ZQ), [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: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05901ZQ), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901ZQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N667DF), registered now, S/N C-88, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CENTRAL OHIO DRAGONFLY CLUBLLC DRAGONFLY-C
- Registry model: [Central Ohio Dragonfly Clubllc DRAGONFLY-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/central-ohio-dragonfly-clubllc-dragonfly-c) (registry code 05901ZQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: C-88
- Airframe hours: 251
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; 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

## 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 20100926045899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100926045899A), Sep 26, 2010: Central Ohi DRAGONFLY-C, Orient, OH, Substantial damage. History of flight:on September 26, 2010, at 1330 hours local time (1730 zulu) an experimental light sport dragon fly-c airplane, registration number N667DF,…

## Other investigations on N667DF (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN13LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA055), Nov 4, 2012: Central Ohio Dragonfly Club DRAGONFLY-C (N667DF), Darbyville, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to a cold-seizure event that occurred at a low altitude, which precluded the pilot's recovery from an inadvertent aerodynamic stall/spin.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77424. 286 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 286 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337472&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.

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