# NTSB CEN18CA293: Just JA30 Superstol, N45FT, Oshkosh, WI, July 24, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2018, 10:03 local (15:03 UTC) - Place: Oshkosh, WI - Coordinates: 43.969722, -88.562774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9697&lon=-88.5628&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 97871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18CA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97871/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97871 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18CA293 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05634CS), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05634CS), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634CS), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05634CS), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=05634CS), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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: [Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05634CS), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05634CS), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05634CS), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot stated that, during the initial climb after takeoff, the flight controls got mushy, and the airplane began to sink. The pilot added flaps and verified engine throttle position; however, the airplane continued to sink, and the flight controls continued to feel mushy. The pilot pushed the airplane's nose forward and retracted the flaps. The airplane descended and hit a ditch and gravel road before coming to rest adjacent to a chain-link fence. Examination of the airplane and related systems revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's statement, along with the video of the accident, revealed that the ;ilot did not maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb and should have climbed more shallowly. Due to the low airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, the airplane aerodynamically stalled. ## Factual narrative The private pilot stated that, during the initial climb after takeoff, after "leveling out" and seeing an increase in airspeed, "the [flight] control got mushy, and the airplane began to sink slightly." The pilot added flaps and verified engine throttle position; however, the airplane continued to sink, and the flight controls continued to feel mushy. The pilot pushed the nose forward and retracted the flaps. The airplane descended and hit a ditch and gravel road before coming to rest adjacent a chain-linked-fence. Both wings were bent down and partially separated, both main landing gear collapsed, and the fuselage was impact damaged. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane. A video of the accident corroborated the pilot's statement. An examination of the airplane, conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator in charge and Federal Aviation Administration inspectors, revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45FT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45FT-2021-09-04), registration cancelled 2021-09-04, S/N JA263-03-12, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Just JA30 SUPERSTOL - Registry model: [Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/benjamin-r-schneider-ja30-superstol) (registry code 05634CS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JA263-03-12 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 103 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 2, 2018 - Departed: OSH, Oshkosh, WI - Destination: OSH, Oshkosh, WI - Airport: OSH, Wittman Rgnl - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 319 total, 113.1 in this make and model, 253.3 as pilot in command, 15.3 in the last 90 days, 6.9 in the last 30 days, 0.4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KOSH, 1 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 20180724017839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180724017839A), Jul 24, 2018: Benjamin R Schneider JA30 SUPERSTOL, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. On July 24 2018 at approximately 0940, N45FT a just aircraft JA30 superstol departed the ultralight runway at the south end of the eaa airventure grounds with… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97871. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 592 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Report Photographs (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 479 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465954&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photographs-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.