# NTSB CEN24LA330: Esqual VM1, N151GH, Oshkosh, WI, August 27, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 27, 2024, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Oshkosh, WI - Coordinates: 43.984371, -88.557042 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9844&lon=-88.5570&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 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 GL13 Milwaukee - NTSB case key (mKey): 195020 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195020/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195020 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA330 ## Probable cause The pilot’s premature rotation during takeoff which resulted in the airplane settling back to the runway and the subsequent separation of the left wheel. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Hobbs Greg H ESQUAL VM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=05618R0), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hobbs Greg H ESQUAL VM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618R0), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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: [Hobbs Greg H ESQUAL VM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=05618R0), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/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 lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Hobbs Greg H ESQUAL VM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=05618R0), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Hobbs Greg H ESQUAL VM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05618R0), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot executed two stabilized low approaches without touching down. After touchdown following the third approach, engine power was added, and the wing flaps were retracted. Before the flaps were fully retracted and before rotation speed, the pilot rotated, and the airplane lifted off the runway. The airplane sank back onto the runway with a side load on the left main landing gear. The left axle broke, and the left wheel separated from the airplane and impacted the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot continued the takeoff, and the control tower confirmed there was no left wheel on the airplane. The second pilot landed the airplane on the runway without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage near the attachment point of the left horizontal stabilizer when the wheel impacted the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N151GH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N151GH), registered now, S/N 51, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ESQUAL VM1 - Registry model: [Hobbs Greg H ESQUAL VM-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/hobbs-greg-h-esqual-vm-1) (registry code 05618R0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 51 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 505.1 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 114 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Nathan Whiting - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: OSH, Wittman Regional Airport, runway 27, 6,179 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 120 total, 10 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 200 total, 10 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KOSH - METAR: METAR 1646 SPECI 29006KT 10SM CLR 28/22 A2996 ## 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 20240827012619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240827012619A), Aug 27, 2024: Hobbs Greg H ESQUAL VM-1, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. This aircraft was purchased on July 6th 2024. The pilots were doing multiple t/o and landings, staying in the pattern. They came in and did a touch and go. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195020. 2.5 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN24LA330 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17617449&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN24LA330_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record FAA examination findings CEN24LA330 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17619599&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20FAA%20Examination%20Findings%20CEN24LA330-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs CEN24LA330 (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17762501&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20CEN24LA330-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. --- 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.