# NTSB CEN24LA154: Dehavilland Tiger Moth DH 82A, N675LF, Council Bluffs, IA, April 10, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 10, 2024, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Council Bluffs, IA
- Coordinates: 41.260906, -95.757173
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2609&lon=-95.7572&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194071/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194071
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA154

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff with a direct gusting crosswind.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2801002), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll on runway 18, the airplane veered left. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder and aileron; however, the airplane exited the left side of the runway. During the excursion, the airplane rolled over a berm, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to the right upper wing, left lower wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was departing from runway 18 with wind from 270° at 12 knots, gusting to 20kts.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N675LF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N675LF), registered now, S/N PG675, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND TIGER MOTH DH 82A
- Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PG675
- Year built: 1944
- Airframe hours: 5366
- Engines: DeHavilland Gypsy Major 1 130 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2024, 20 hours before
- Destination: KRDK, Red Oak, IA
- Airport: CBF, Council Bluffs Muni, runway 18, 5,500 × 100 ft, concrete
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 25, 2023; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,733 total, 7.6 in this make and model, 5,979 as pilot in command, 14.6 in the last 90 days, 7.8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observed at: KCBF
- METAR: KCBF 101935Z AUTO 27012G20KT 10SM CLR 22/02 A2981 RMK AO2

## 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 20240410003319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240410003319A), Apr 10, 2024: Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A, Council Bluffs, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot admitted to loss of control of biplane while rolling for takeoff at cbf rwy 18. Aircraft began to veer left due to gusty cross wind which could not be…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194071. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17018606&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's narrative (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 355 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17020991&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Narrative_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 541 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17020523&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.

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