CEN15LA437

NTSB accident investigation · Capella Aircraft Corporation ( FW2TDXLS · Bartlesville, OK · September 30, 2015

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
September 30, 2015, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC)
Place
Bartlesville, OK
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
N903ABCapella Aircraft Corporation ( FW2TDXLS
Defining event
Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 4, 2016
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Central Region
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20150930020639A
Case key
92112

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after takeoff.

Findings · 2

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parametersAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedBlankenship John H FW2TDXLS: 1 caseAll aircraft: 1,269 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The private pilot was conducting a personal flight in the experimental airplane. He reported that, during climbout, the right wing kept "coming up" and that the airplane was banking left. The pilot attempted to level the airplane but was unsuccessful. The airplane turned 360 degrees, and the airplane's nose started to drop. The pilot reduced the engine power and continued trying to level the airplane. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground on the left wing and landing gear and came to rest on its nose. An examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.

Factual narrative

On September 30, 2015, about 0935 central daylight time, a Capella Aircraft Corporation (Blankenship) FW2TDXLS experimental airplane, N903AB, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Bartlesville Municipal Airport (KBVU), Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individuals under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, during the climb out the right wing kept "coming up," and the airplane wanted to bank to the left. The pilot attempted to level the wings but was unsuccessful. The airplane turned 360 degrees and the nose of the airplane started to drop. The pilot reduced the engine power and continued to try and level the airplane. The airplane impacted the ground on the left wing and landing gear and came to rest on its nose. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who traveled to the scene, the pilot was conducting a "low pass" so that the owner could record a video of the airplane flying. The right stabilizer, left wing, and fuselage were substantially damaged. Examination of the airplane established that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation during the accident flight.

Aircraft

Registration
N903AB
Reported as
Capella Aircraft Corporation ( FW2TDXLS
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
B12
Built
2008
Airframe hours
7.2
Engine
Jabiru 2200, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Joseph Sigler
Registered owner
Akers John
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Condition · August 4, 2015
Departed
KBVO · Bartlesville, OK
Destination
KBVO · Bartlesville, OK
Airport
KBVO · Bartlesville Municipal Airport
Equipment
None

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
81
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
May 28, 2015
Seat
Left
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
1,650.6 total · 3 in this make and model · 1,587.9 as pilot in command · 12 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
40° at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
1,000 ft overcast
Temperature
61 °F, dew point 59 °F
Altimeter
30.14 inHg
Observed at
KBVO

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 22, 2016, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.6 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.