# NTSB CHI00LA240: Thompson Avid Mark IV, N619T, Springfield, MO, August 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 2000, 06:50 local (11:50 UTC) - Place: Springfield, MO - Coordinates: 37.16957, -93.179176 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1696&lon=-93.1792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49915 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49915/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA240 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, his failure to abort the takeoff, and the inadequate airspeed. Factors included the tall runway grass, the quartering tailwind, and the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane departed on runway 06 (2640 X 70 feet). The pilot reported the grass on the runway was taller than normal, and that a tailwind existed at the time of takeoff. The pilot reported the takeoff roll was longer than normal and he was about to abort the takeoff when the airplane became airborne. The pilot reported he avoided a 60 foot tree at the end of the runway but was unable to gain airspeed. He reported he turned to the north but the airplane lost altitude and impacted into a hedgerow of shrubs. The pilot reported there was nothing wrong with the airplane and that the engine was producing about 6,100 rpm's. He reported the airplane could not fly out of the tailwind and that it flew into a stall. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 2000, at 0650 central daylight time, an experimental Thompson Avid Mark IV, N619T, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during takeoff climb. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was departing the Flying Bar H Ranch, a private grass airstrip (2640 X 70 feet), with Gastons (3M0), Arkansas, as the destination. The airplane departed on runway 06. The pilot reported the grass on the runway was taller than normal, and that a tailwind existed at the time of takeoff. The pilot reported the takeoff roll was longer than normal and he was about to abort the takeoff when the airplane became airborne. The pilot reported he avoided a 60 foot tree at the end of the runway but was unable to gain airspeed. He reported he turned to the north but the airplane lost altitude and impacted into a hedgerow of shrubs. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported there was nothing wrong with the airplane and that the engine was producing about 6,100 rpm's. He reported the airplane could not fly out of the tailwind and that it flew into a stall. The 0654 surface observation at Springfield Regional Airport located 12 miles from the accident site reported winds at 180 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N619T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N619T-2005-12-13), registration cancelled 2005-12-13, S/N 968, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Thompson AVID MARK IV (AVID MARK) - Registry model: [Thompson Steve L AVID MARK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/thompson-steve-l-avid-mark-iv) (registry code 05605E2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 968 - Airframe hours: 163 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steve Thompson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2000, 35 hours before - Departed: MO42 - Destination: 3M0, GASTONS, AK - Airport: MO42, Flying Bar H, runway 6, 2,640 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 163 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 163 °F, dew point 156 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SGF, 12 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 20000805015289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000805015289A), Aug 5, 2000: Amtr AVIDMARKIV, Rogersville, MO, No damage. (-23) On August 5, 2000, Mr. Steven l. thompson operated avid mark iv, N619T, an experimental a/c, as pilot in command at the flying bar h ranch airport, east… 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.