# NTSB CEN14LA259: Sibley Glasair, N4VX, Midlothian, TX, May 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 2014, 10:49 local (15:49 UTC) - Place: Midlothian, TX - Coordinates: 32.512779, -96.09333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5128&lon=-96.0933&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; North Texas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89295 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA259 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89295/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89295 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA259 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain sufficient training and experience to operate the high-performance airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05655TQ), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05655TQ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031000): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031000/cases.md?model=05655TQ), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031000/cases.md) - [Training](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031500): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031500/cases.md?model=05655TQ), [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031500/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 control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05655TQ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05655TQ), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05655TQ), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05655TQ), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05655TQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, the high-performance airplane's left wing dropped and that the airplane then turned toward the left side of the runway. The pilot applied corrective control inputs but was unsuccessful in regaining airplane control. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground; a postcrash fire ensued, which destroyed the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity. The pilot stated that he did not have enough time, training, or experience to be flying the high-performance airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 2014, at 1049 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Sibley Glasair, N4VX, impacted the runway during takeoff from Eagle's Nest Estates Airport, Midlothian, Texas, when the left wing struck the runway surface. The airplane was destroyed by post-crash fire. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Mid-Way Regional Airport, Midlothian, Texas. The pilot stated that soon after the airplane lifted off there was an unexpected left wing drop. The airplane's flight path changed toward the left side of the runway. The pilot applied corrective control input to change the flight path but the control input was "marginally successful." A few seconds later, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest on the airport ramp. Initially there was no fire, but fuel pouring from the header tank soon ignited. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector confirmed flight control continuity. The pilot stated to FAA Inspectors during a postaccident interview that he did not have enough time, training, or experience to be flying such a high performance aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4VX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4VX-2018-03-14), registration cancelled 2018-03-14, S/N 301, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIBLEY GLASAIR - Registry model: [Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/sibley-alfred-e-glasair) (registry code 05655TQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 301 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 1140 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2014 - Departed: 2TS5, Midlothian, TX - Destination: JWY, Midlothian, TX - Airport: 2TS5, Eagle's Nest Estates Airport, runway 17, 3,200 × 32 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 25, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 580 total, 14 in this make and model, 580 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GKY, 13 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 20140524015369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140524015369A), May 24, 2014: Sibley Alfred E GLASAIR, Midlothian, TX, Destroyed. A witness watched the entire accident sequence and stated, ?the aircraft gained groundspeed and I observed the tail come up, eventually to a more than level… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89295. 669 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 617 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Correspondence (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Correspondence-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.