# NTSB CEN14CA271: BRM Aero Sro Bristell S-LSA, N348BL, Boerne, TX, May 30, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2014, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Boerne, TX - Coordinates: 29.722778, -98.694442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7228&lon=-98.6944&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89334 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89334/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89334 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA271 ## Probable cause The instructor pilot's failure to regain control of the airplane following the student pilot's initial loss of control of the airplane. ## 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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to practice takeoffs and landings. The student was performing a soft field takeoff when the accident occurred. The student applied aft control pressure and added power for takeoff. Once airborne, the airplane drifted to the right. The student corrected and the airplane drifted to the left. The instructor then took control of the airplane. He lowered the nose to gain airspeed and the left gear contacted the runway and collapsed. The instructor stated he then overcorrected to the right and the right wing contacted the ground. The airplane settled to the ground off the right side of the runway and spun to the left prior to coming to rest. The airplane received substantial damage to the aft fuselage. ## Factual narrative The purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to practice takeoffs and landings. The student was performing a soft field takeoff when the accident occurred. The student applied aft control pressure and added power for takeoff. Once airborne, the airplane drifted to the right. The student corrected and the airplane drifted to the left. The instructor then took control of the airplane. He lowered the nose to gain airspeed and the left gear contacted the runway and collapsed. The instructor stated he then overcorrected to the right and the right wing contacted the ground. The airplane settled to the ground off the right side of the runway and spun to the left prior to coming to rest. The airplane received substantial damage to the aft fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: N348BL (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BRM AERO SRO BRISTELL S-LSA (NO SERIES) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 032/2013 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 300 - Engines: Rotax 912 98 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Benjamin Armen - Registered owner: Pruitt Industries LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: 5C1, Boerne, TX - Destination: 5C1, Boerne, TX - Airport: 5C1, Boerne Stage, runway 17, 4,340 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 43; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 4, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,000 total, 58 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 56; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 53 total, 43 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: 5C1 ## 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 20140530009809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140530009809A), May 30, 2014: Brm Aero Sro BRISTELL S-LSA, Boerne, TX, Substantial damage. During an instructional flight practicing soft field technique. The instructor did not have a understanding of the wing characteristics and allowed the student… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89334. 869 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 815 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413384&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-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.