# NTSB CEN12LA445: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SportCruiser, N516JG, Waynesville, OH, July 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 2012, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Waynesville, OH - Coordinates: 39.537776, -84.129997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5378&lon=-84.1300&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Cincinnati FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84327 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA445 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84327/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84327 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA445 ## Probable cause The airplane's collision with fence posts during an aborted takeoff due to a sudden change in wind direction. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the accident occurred while he was departing his private airstrip. He stated that he noticed an “abrupt change” in the wind direction about halfway down the runway during the takeoff roll. The wind direction reportedly shifted from a left crosswind to a tailwind condition. The pilot stated that he decided to abort the takeoff because he was unsure if the airplane would clear trees located off the departure end of the runway. He attempted to steer the airplane into an adjacent field, but it impacted two fence posts hidden in shrubbery before coming to rest. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Although the weather data obtained from a nearby observing station established that the wind direction was variable, it did not corroborate the pilot's observation of a tailwind condition. However, there were several thunderstorms in the vicinity of the accident site that could have resulted in localized wind changes that were not detected by the weather observing station. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 2012, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Czech Aircraft Works SPOL SRO model SportCruiser light-sport airplane, N516JG, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at a private airstrip near Waynesville, Ohio. The sport pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Three Wings, LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The local area flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that the accident occurred while he was departing his private airstrip to the west. The east/west grass runway was 2,000 feet long by 150 feet wide. He stated that he noticed an “abrupt change” in the wind direction about halfway down the runway during the takeoff roll. The wind direction reportedly shifted from a left crosswind to a tailwind condition. The pilot stated that he decided to abort the takeoff because he was unsure if the airplane would clear trees located off the departure end of the runway. He attempted to steer the airplane into an adjacent field, but it impacted two fence posts hidden in some shrubbery before coming to rest. The fuselage, firewall, and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The closest weather observing station was located at the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport (KMGY), about 6.3 miles west-northwest of the private airstrip. At 1330, the KMGY automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 220 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles; few clouds at 2,800 feet above ground level, temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point 21 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 30.13 inches of mercury. The report contained a remark that there was lightning observed in the distant southeast. Available weather radar data indicated that at the time of the accident there were several convective cells surrounding the accident site. The weather observation station also recorded the wind direction and speed at one minute intervals. A review of the wind data recorded between 1325 and 1335 showed that the wind direction varied between 199 and 266 degrees, and was between 5 and 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N516JG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N516JG-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 08SC224, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Czech Aircraft Works SPOL SRO SportCruiser - Registry model: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER](https://openairdocs.org/model/czech-aircraft-works-spol-sro-sportcruiser) (registry code 060002O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 08SC224 - Airframe hours: 444 - Engines: ROTAX 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Three Wings, LLC - Registered owner: Three Wings, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2012 - Departed: PVT, Waynesville, OH - Destination: PVT, Waynesville, OH - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip, runway 27, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 220 in this make and model, 146 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KMGY, 6 nm away ## 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 20120715014289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120715014289A), Jul 15, 2012: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, Waynesville, OH, Substantial damage. The pilot departed his private sod runway 28. The winds were 2213G17 (from kmgy - nearby). The aircraft was running normally but was not able to climb. The… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84327. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 802 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376039&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Summary of Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376040&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Summary%20of%20Pilot%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - FAA Summary of Passenger Interview (item 3, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Summary%20of%20Passenger%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376042&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Wind Data (item 5, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Wind%20Data-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.