# NTSB CHI02LA046: Miller Lancair 235, N417EM, Tecumseh, MI, December 5, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 5, 2001, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Tecumseh, MI - Coordinates: 41.999763, -83.94049 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9998&lon=-83.9405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53896 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53896/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA046 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were the crosswind and the wind gusts. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb ## Analysis The pilot said, "With mixture full rich and full throttle I started my take off roll. After reaching 63 to 65 mph the aircraft became air born with slight back pressure on the stick. While trying to correct for cross wind from about 190 [degrees] to 195 [degrees], I noticed the aircraft was being blown to the right of the runway in the direction of a roll [row] of trees and the wind had shifted. At the same time, I noticed my airspeed was becoming to low so I lowered the nose of the aircraft to increse [increase] my airspeed. At this point it appeared the aircraft was heading back to the center of the runway when a gust of wind cought [caught] the right wing and blew the aircraft just enough for the left wing tip to touch the ground. At this time I lost all control of the aircraft." An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. The wind conditions recorded 8 minutes prior to the accident at Toledo Express Airport, Toledo, Ohio, 24 miles south of the accident site, were 210 degrees magnetic at 14 knots with gusts to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On December 5, 2001, at 1500 eastern standard time, a Miller Lancair 235, N417EM, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it departed controlled flight and impacted terrain on takeoff from runway 18 (2,922 feet by 100 feet dry/turf) at the Tecumseh Merillat Airport (34G), Tecumseh, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal, cross-country flight was to be conducted on a visual flight rules flight plan to Batavia, Ohio, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot said, "With mixture full rich and full throttle I started my take off roll. After reaching 63 to 65 mph the aircraft became air born with slight back pressure on the stick. While trying to correct for cross wind from about 190 [degrees] to 195 [degrees], I noticed the aircraft was being blown to the right of the runway in the direction of a roll [row] of trees and the wind had shifted. At the same time, I noticed my airspeed was becoming to low so I lowered the nose of the aircraft to increse [increase] my airspeed. At this point it appeared the aircraft was heading back to the center of the runway when a gust of wind cought [caught] the right wing and blew the aircraft just enough for the left wing tip to touch the ground. At this time I lost all control of the aircraft." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The tail was separated from the fuselage forward of the vertical stabilizer. The outboard 2 feet of left wing to the wing tip was split open. The nose gear was broken aft and the propeller was splintered. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. At 1452, the wind conditions recorded at Toledo Express Airport, Toledo, Ohio, 24 miles south of the accident site, were 210 degrees magnetic at 14 knots with gusts to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N417EM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N417EM), registered now, S/N 72819, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Miller Lancair 235 - Registry model: [Miller Richard M LANCAIR 235](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-richard-m-lancair-235) (registry code 05618J9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 72819 - Airframe hours: 253.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Randall H. White - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 23, 2001, 1.5 hours before - Departed: 34G, Tecumseh, MI - Destination: 69I, Batavia, OH - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 34G, Tecumseh Merillat Airport, runway 18, 2,922 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 25, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 243 total, 25 in this make and model, 243 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: TOL, 24 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 20011205032389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011205032389A), Dec 5, 2001: Amtr LANCAIR235, Tecumseh, MI, No damage. (-23) Pilot called landing, MI, fss for weather. Weather was VFR with winds 220 at 16K gusting to 21K. Runway 18 in use. Attempted take off. Became airborne… 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.