# NTSB CHI01LA171: Larson Murphy Rebel, N622GL, Stratford, WI, June 17, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 2001, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Stratford, WI - Coordinates: 44.799636, -90.070953 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7996&lon=-90.0710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53258 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53258/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff from the farm field. Factors were the tall grass, the rising terrain, the fence, and the inadequate planning/decision by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis The aircraft sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with an electric fence following a takeoff from a farm field. The field used for takeoff had tall grass and rising terrain in the direction of the takeoff. According to the pilot, "after liftoff the aircraft contacted a wire fence which slowed the aircraft down. The aircraft contacted the soft ground and flipped over into its back." In a written report, the pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2001, at 1230 central daylight time, an amateur built Larson Murphy Rebel, N622GL, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with an electric fence, following a takeoff from a field near Stratford, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger sustained no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to the pilot, a precautionary landing was made in a farmers field due to weather conditions. The pilot said that he attempted a takeoff, on another day, and that, "after liftoff the aircraft contacted a wire fence which slowed the aircraft down. The aircraft contacted the soft ground and flipped over into its back." In a written report, the pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the aircraft. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the field used for takeoff had tall grass and rising terrain in the direction of the takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N622GL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N622GL-2013-05-16), registration cancelled 2013-05-16, S/N 622R3 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Larson Murphy Rebel - Registry model: [Larson G/Larson A MURPHY REBEL](https://openairdocs.org/model/larson-g-larson-a-murphy-rebel) (registry code 05610C8) (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: 622R3 - Airframe hours: 150 - Engines: Continental C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Greg Larson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2000, 150 hours before - Departed: PVT, Stratford, WI - Destination: 5N2, Prentice, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 3, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 670 total, 76 in this make and model, 670 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: STE, 33 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 20010617019029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010617019029A), Jun 17, 2001: Amtr MURPHYREBEL, Stratford, WI, No damage. (.19) On June 17, 2001, at 1230 central daylight time, an amateur built larson, murphy rebel, N622GL, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage… 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.