# NTSB CEN12CA442: Doppelt Fredric F F. 8L Falco, N532FD, Durango, CO, July 15, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 15, 2012, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.15139, -107.753608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1514&lon=-107.7536&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-Salt Lake FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA442
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84320/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84320
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA442

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane and the instructor's delayed remedial action.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Doppelt Fredric F F. 8L FALCO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0561178), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Doppelt Fredric F F. 8L FALCO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=0561178), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Doppelt Fredric F F. 8L FALCO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=0561178), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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: [Doppelt Fredric F F. 8L FALCO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0561178), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Doppelt Fredric F F. 8L FALCO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0561178), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

**This report was modified on November 19, 2013. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** The airplane was being flown by a private pilot, who stated that he had flown the airplane with the previous owner but had not conducted any takeoffs or landings, and a flight instructor who was providing dual instruction. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff ground run, and the airplane subsequently became airborne at too slow of an airspeed. The pilot reduced the power to land the airplane back on the runway. The instructor stated that he told the pilot to lower the nose and to watch the airspeed then took control of the airplane. The instructor lowered the nose, and the pilot increased the power. The instructor stated that the left wing dropped as the airspeed increased, but he was able to level the wings. The right wing then dropped "very quickly," and he was not able to recover. The airplane came to rest inverted in the grass alongside the runway. The fuselage, wings, firewall, and the empennage were substantially damaged.

## Factual narrative

**This report was modified on November 19, 2013. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** The airplane was being flown by a private pilot who just purchased it, and a certified flight instructor who was providing dual instruction. The private pilot stated that he had flown the airplane with the previous owner and that the previous owner made the takeoff and landing. The private pilot and instructor spent about 1 hour briefing and preparing for the flight. The private pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left of the centerline. He stopped the airplane from drifting, but failed to pay attention to the airspeed. He looked at the airspeed which was about 55 knots, and when he looked back up, they were airborne. He stated his initial reaction was to reduce the power and put the airplane back on the runway. He then heard the instructor state that they were too slow so he advanced the throttle. He stated the airplane then settled to the ground off the left side of the runway. The instructor stated the airplane drifted to the left during the takeoff. He stated that when the airplane became airborne, the pitch attitude was too high and he instructed the private pilot to lower the nose of the airplane. He stated that the private pilot "froze at the controls." He stated he again instructed the private pilot to lower the nose and to watch the airspeed. When the instructor took control of the stick and lowered the nose in an attempt to gain airspeed, the private pilot advanced the throttle. He stated that as the airspeed increased, the left wing dropped, and he leveled the wings. The right wing then dropped "very quickly" and the instructor was not able to recover. A pilot flying in the airport traffic pattern at the time saw the airplane impact the ground and "cartwheel." The airplane came to rest inverted in the grass alongside the runway. The fuselage, wings, firewall, and the empennage were substantially damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N532FD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N532FD-2018-01-04), registration cancelled 2018-01-04, S/N 1318, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOPPELT FREDRIC F F. 8L FALCO
- Registry model: [Doppelt Fredric F F. 8L FALCO](https://openairdocs.org/model/doppelt-fredric-f-f-8l-falco) (registry code 0561178) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1318
- Airframe hours: 353
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 360 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce Snyder
- Registered owner: Doppelt Ventures LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, November 10, 2011, 353 hours before
- Departed: KDRO, Durango, CO
- Destination: KDRO, Durango, CO
- Airport: KDRO, La Plata County Airport, runway 21, 9,201 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 10,600 total, 6 in this make and model, 10,457 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 0 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observed at: KDRO

## 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 20120715014239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120715014239A), Jul 15, 2012: Doppelt Fredric F F. 8L FALCO, Durango, CO, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances while attempting to take-off. PIC stated he had purchased the aircraft the day prior to the accident. He did not…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84320. 15.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Counley (item 1, .PDF, 663 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Counley-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Snyder (item 2, .PDF, 821 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Snyder-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Counley (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375951&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Counley-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation - Snyder (item 4, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375952&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Snyder-Master.PDF
- La Plata County Sheriff's Department Report (item 5, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375954&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=La%20Plata%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Department%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Petition for Reconsideration (item 6, .PDF, 9.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Petition%20for%20Reconsideration-Master.PDF
- Response to Petition for Reconsideration (item 7, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Response%20to%20Petition%20for%20Reconsideration-Master.PDF
- Changes to Original Factual Report and Brief of Accident (item 8, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405782&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Changes%20to%20Original%20Factual%20Report%20and%20Brief%20of%20Accident-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.

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