# NTSB CEN13LA199: Ryan Navion, N4276K, Broomfield, CO, March 15, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 2013, 14:08 local (20:08 UTC) - Place: Broomfield, CO - Coordinates: 39.908889, -105.117225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9089&lon=-105.1172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86448 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86448/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86448 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA199 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and decision to take off at a high density altitude and in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After takeoff from a 9,000-foot runway, the pilot retracted the landing gear. Shortly thereafter, the airspeed dropped, followed by an excessive descent rate. The pilot lowered the landing gear and landed the airplane on the runway before it departed the runway and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot attributed the excessive descent rate to wind shear. The weather information obtained by the pilot before the flight indicated gusting, variable, and turbulent wind conditions at a high density altitude, so the pilot should have been aware that conditions were favorable for wind shear. Further, the pilot should have applied a wind/gust correction factor to the takeoff speed to maintain a safe airspeed margin and to maintain airplane climb performance. The airplane's climb performance was further degraded by the effects of density altitude and the overweight condition of the airplane due to the pilot's erroneous weight and balance calculations. ## Factual narrative On March 15, 2013, at 1408 mountain daylight time, a Ryan Navion, N4276K, settled onto the runway during an initial climb and subsequently veered off the runway at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Broomfield, Colorado. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings when it impacted terrain. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that was destined to Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico.The pilot stated that after a "normal" run up, he began a takeoff roll on runway 29R (9,000 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). The takeoff roll was "normal" and he rotated the airplane at 60 mph as per the airplane flight manual. He then established a best angle of climb (Vx) at 80 mph. Upon positive rate of climb, he retracted the landing gear so as not to exceed the 100 mph landing gear speed limitation. After gear retraction, the airspeed deteriorated quickly from 80 mph to 60 mph. The pilot said he immediately reduced pitch to regain airspeed. An excessive descent rate caused him to extend the landing gear and level the wings for an imminent ground impact. The pilot stated that he made an error in the airplane weight and balance calculation by failing to add the weight of fuel in the airplane wingtip tanks, which resulted in the airplane having a takeoff weight of 3,208 lbs. The maximum gross weight of the airplane was 3,100 lbs. The pilot stated that the airplane was equipped with a higher horsepower engine and therefore equivalent to a later model of airplane, which had a maximum gross weight of 3,300 lbs. The pilot stated that he has been an airline pilot for 15 years and received windshear training every 6 months. He said he has been through countless windshear training events. He believed that the quick recognition of the event and proper recovery techniques that he had learned enabled him to keep the airplane under as much control as possible. According to the Navion Operation Manual, Normal Takeoff, states: 4. At a speed of approximately 60 to 65 mph, raise nose wheel from ground by applying gentle back pressure to the control wheel. At 70 mph, very slight additional back pressure will cause the airplane to take off. 6. Maintain an airspeed of at least 80 mph during initial climb. All [climb] rates shown were computed at 95 mph with full throttle and 2300 rpm to give highest rate of climb and most efficient engine cooling. According to the Navion type certificate holder, Vx is 70 mph. The Flight Training Handbook, AC 61-21A, Normal Liftoff, states: During takeoffs in a strong, gusty wind it is advisable that an extra margin of speed be obtained before the airplane is allowed to leave the ground, since a takeoff at the normal takeoff speed may result in lack of positive control, or a stall, when the airplane encounters a sudden lullin strong gusty wind, or other turbulent air currents. In this case the pilot should hold the airplane on the ground longer to attain more speed, then make a smooth, positive rotation to leave the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4276K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4276K), registered now, S/N NAV-4-1276, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Ryan NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion) (registry code 6150160) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-1276 - Airframe hours: 4800.1 - Engines: Continental IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2013 - Departed: DEN, Denver, CO - Destination: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Airport: BJC, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan, runway 29R, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 4, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 9,866 total, 7 in this make and model, 5,278 as pilot in command, 214 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: BJC ## 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 20130315004169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130315004169A), Mar 15, 2013: Ryan NAVION, Broomfield, CO, Substantial damage. On 3/15/2013 at approximately 1408 LCL N4276K, a Navion, sustained substantial damaged upon impacting the ground shortly after takeoff at bjc, jeffco co… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86448. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Flight Manual Excerpts (item 2, .PDF, 950 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Manual%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Flight Training Handbook (item 3, .PDF, 367 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398266&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Training%20Handbook-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.