# NTSB CHI03LA203: Aerotrike DPS, Brandon, IA, July 5, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 2003, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Brandon, IA
- Coordinates: 42.309467, -91.999877 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3095&lon=-91.9999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-Des Moines FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA203

## Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot selected unsuitable terrain for takeoff when he departed from a bean field, and the airplane stalled as a result of low airspeed during takeoff climb.  Factors to the accident included the pilot's total lack of experience, the pilot's poor judgement, the bean field, 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
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - low, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees and terrain during takeoff. The airplane was not registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  The pilot held no pilot certificates and had no medical certificate.  A witness reported the airplane departed from a highway to the west.  The pilot was seen landing the airplane in a bean field adjacent to the highway where he picked up one passenger.  Once the passenger was seated, the pilot started a takeoff roll from the field to the south.  The witness reported that when the airplane neared the trees at the end of the field, it "went straight up and went to the left and nose down into the trees."  At 0954, the recorded weather at Waterloo Municipal Airport, located approximately 26 miles of the accident site, indicated the wind was 300 degrees at 6 knots.

## Factual narrative

On July 5, 2003, at 1030 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Aerotrike DPS airplane, which had not been registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, sustained substantial damage during takeoff.  The airplane was departing on a local flight from a bean field near Brandon, Iowa, when it hit trees at the end of the field.  The uncertificated pilot and one passenger received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  No flight plan was filed.

A witness reported the airplane took off to the west from highway 283.  The pilot was seen landing the airplane in a bean field near highway 283 where he picked up one passenger.  Once the passenger was seated, the pilot started a takeoff roll from the bean field to the south.  The witness reported that when the airplane neared the trees at the end of the field, it  "went straight up and went to the left and nose down into the trees."

At 0954, the recorded weather at Waterloo Municipal Airport, Waterloo, Iowa, located approximately 27 miles west from the accident site, was: Wind 300 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 25 degrees Celsius; dew point 19 degrees Celsius; altimeter 29.93 inches of mercury.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Aerotrike DPS
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: Bombardier 503 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary P. Kehm
- Departed: Brandon, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: ALO, 26 nm away

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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