# NTSB CEN16LA342: Fairchild M 62A-3, N47164, Madison, OH, August 30, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 30, 2016, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Madison, OH - Coordinates: 41.792221, -81.058052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7922&lon=-81.0581&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA342 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93933/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93933 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA342 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and his improper use of flaps during takeoff, which degraded the airplane's climb performance and resulted in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot and one passenger departed in a vintage airplane from a private airstrip. During the takeoff, the airplane would not climb with full engine power, and it collided with trees about 1/2 mile from the end of the runway. An examination of the airplane revealed that the flaps were in the "down" position. However, the Before Takeoff checklist stated, "flaps up," for takeoff. The pilot reported that he normally took off with one notch of flaps. It is likely that the pilot's failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and his use of the wrong flaps setting for takeoff degraded the airplane's climb performance. ## Factual narrative On August 30, 2016, about 1950 eastern daylight time, a Fairchild M 62A-3 (PT-19) airplane, N47164, collided with tree while departing from a private strip near Madison, Ohio. The commercial rated pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to DTD PT-19 LLC 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 for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to information obtained by investigators, while departing the private strip, the airplane would not climb with full engine power. The airplane collided with trees about ½ mile from the end of the strip. Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage and wings. An examination of the airframe by the responding Federal Aviation Administration found no anomalies with the airframe. However, the flaps were found in the down or extended position. A review of the aircraft checklist, notes for takeoff: "flaps up". The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that he normally takes off with one notch of flaps. The pilot did not submit a completed NTSB Form 6120. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47164](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47164-2018-05-15), registration cancelled 2018-05-15, S/N T-42-3041, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD M 62A-3 - Registry model: [Fairchild M-62A-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62a-3) (registry code 3371618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Fairchild 6-440 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/fairchild-6-440-series) (registry code 26003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T-42-3041 - Year built: 1942 - Engines: Fairchild 6-440 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Madison, OH - Destination: Madison, OH - Airport: PVT, Private Strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KHZY, 16 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 20160830015499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160830015499A), Aug 30, 2016: Fairchild M-62A-3, South Madison, OH, Destroyed. Normal take off to the west one passenger. Found aircraft would not climb with full power and all actions pilot knew or have learned. Pilot saw the tree tops… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93933. 1.9 MB in all. - Record of Conversation with FAA (item 1, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457728&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457729&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF - Checklist Page (item 3, .PDF, 416 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457730&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Checklist%20Page-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.