# NTSB CEN14LA433: Sutton William J Stits Playmate SA11A, N76WS, Bridgeport, TX, July 29, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 2014, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Bridgeport, TX - Coordinates: 33.173332, -97.82917 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1733&lon=-97.8292&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89888 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA433 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89888/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89888 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA433 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of airplane control during takeoff after encountering rapidly changing wind conditions. ## 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 · Contributed to outcome (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome ## Analysis After refueling the airplane, the pilot observed that the wind direction at the airport had changed about 90 degrees from when he had arrived about 30 minutes earlier. The pilot reported that the wind was now 8 to 10 mph and varying from 050 to 090 degrees, so he chose runway 36 for departure. When the airplane was about 10 to 15 ft above the ground, it made a descending left turn. The pilot stayed in the traffic pattern and then landed on the runway. The pilot checked the flight controls, and they appeared to respond correctly. He departed again, and, after becoming airborne, the airplane made another descending left turn. The airplane did not respond to the pilot's control inputs, so he reduced power and landed in the grass near the runway. The airplane slid across a taxiway and impacted a tree and fence at the airport perimeter. Aileron control continuity was established with no abnormalities noted. The airport's automated weather reporting station reported calm wind and lightning in the distance south of the airport about the time of departure. Based on the events, it's likely that, during the takeoff, the airplane encountered rapidly changing wind conditions due to a nearby storm. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 2014, about 1305 central daylight time, a Stits Playmate SA11A airplane, N76WS, impacted terrain at the Bridgeport Municipal Airport (XBP), Bridgeport, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was departing XBP at the time of the accident.The pilot departed from an airport located about 25 miles southeast of XBP earlier, and the wind was 8-10 mph from 150 degrees. As he approached his destination airport, he observed the winds to be 8-10 mph from 150-170 degrees, and then conducted a normal landing on runway 18. After refueling the airplane and about 30 minutes after arriving, he planned to return to his original airport. He noticed the winds were now 8-10 mph and varying from 050 to 090 degrees. The pilot then selected runway 36 for departure. During the takeoff, when the airplane was 10-15 feet in the air, the airplane made a descending left turn. He then stayed in the traffic pattern and landed on the runway. The pilot checked the flight controls and the controls appeared to respond correctly. He departed the airport and after becoming airborne, the airplane made another descending left turn. The airplane did not respond to his control inputs, so he reduced power and landed in the grass near the runway. The airplane slid across a taxiway and impacted a tree and fence, at the airport perimeter. Examination of the airplane by the NTSB Investigator revealed substantial damage to the left and right wings, and fuselage. Control continuity of the ailerons was established with no abnormalities noted. The airplane's last annual condition inspection was completed on May 3, 2014, with an airplane total time of 409 hours. The pilot reported 2,790 total flight hours with 75 hours in the accident airplane. The automated weather reporting station located at XBP, at 1255 recorded calm winds, with lightning in the distance, south of the airport. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76WS-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SUTTON WILLIAM J STITS PLAYMATE SA11A - Registry model: [Sutton William J STITS PLAYMATE SA11A](https://openairdocs.org/model/sutton-william-j-stits-playmate-sa11a) (registry code 86509MA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 75 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 409 - Engines: Lycoming O-290D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 3, 2014 - Departed: KXBP, Bridgeport, TX - Destination: T67, Hicks Airfield, TX - Airport: KXBP, Bridgeport Municipal, runway 36, 4,004 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 22, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,790 total, 75 in this make and model, 1,860 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KXBP ## 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 20140729012559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140729012559A), Jul 29, 2014: Sutton William J STITS PLAYMATE SA11A, Bridgeport, TX, Destroyed. After refueling, the aircraft departed with a gusty cross wind, at 10-15 feet it made an uncommanded descending left turn. The pilot was unable to control the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89888. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Automated Weather Station Report (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Automated%20Weather%20Station%20Report-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.