# NTSB CEN13CA033: Porter James Grant Superior CUB, N97RP, Beechgrove, IN, October 27, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 27, 2012, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Beechgrove, IN - Coordinates: 39.707778, -86.157501 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7078&lon=-86.1575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA IND FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85454 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85454/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85454 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA033 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during takeoff from a short field. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Porter James Grant SUPERIOR CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05603XB), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Porter James Grant SUPERIOR CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=05603XB), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Porter James Grant SUPERIOR CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05603XB), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Porter James Grant SUPERIOR CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05603XB), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Porter James Grant SUPERIOR CUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05603XB), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he planned to depart from a short grass field. To obtain more clearance from the trees at the end of the 700-foot strip, the pilot planned to turn just after takeoff. The pilot added that there was about a 10- to 20-degree right crosswind. During the takeoff, the airplane turned into the wind and the pilot was unable to correct that turn. The pilot attempted to climb through a small gap in the tree line; however, the airplane’s right wing collided with a tree and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he planned to depart from a small grass field. In order to give him more clearance from the trees at the end of the 700 foot strip, the pilot expected to perform a turn just after takeoff. The pilot added that he had about a 10 to 20 degree crosswind. During takeoff the airplane turned into the wind and the pilot was unable to correct the turn. In order to avoid the trees he attempted to climb through a small gap in the tree line. However, the airplane’s right wing collided with a tree and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. An Examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97RP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97RP), registered now, S/N PR-18-1, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PORTER JAMES GRANT SUPERIOR CUB - Registry model: [Porter James Grant SUPERIOR CUB](https://openairdocs.org/model/porter-james-grant-superior-cub) (registry code 05603XB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: PR-18-1 - Airframe hours: 490 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Milless Jeremy R - Registered owner: Milless Jeremy R - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2012 - Departed: 78I, Eminence, IN - Destination: Beechgrove, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 295 total, 95 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: kind, 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 20121027023989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121027023989A), Oct 27, 2012: Porter James Grant SUPERIOR CUB, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. The pilot, the lone occupant of the aircraft, started the engine of N97RP and taxied (east to west) across the vacant field adjacent to and west of [privacy… ## Other investigations on N97RP (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 WPR10CA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA378), Jul 31, 2010: Porter James Grant Superior CUB (N97RP), Caldwell, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85454. 373 KB in all. - Witness Statement (item 1, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380322&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381958&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-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.