# NTSB CHI03LA309: Strother KR2, N60MS, Clarinda, IA, September 11, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 2003, 15:53 local (20:53 UTC) - Place: Clarinda, IA - Coordinates: 40.721668, -95.02639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7217&lon=-95.0264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Des Moines FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57993 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57993/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA309 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the roadway sign. The loose gravel and the sign were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign (contributing factor) - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged when it hit a roadway sign and subsequently impacted the terrain immediately after takeoff from a gravel road. The pilot had reportedly made a precautionary landing due to deteriorating weather. Approximately 3 hours after the precautionary landing, the weather cleared and the pilot felt that he would be able to takeoff safely. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft began "hopping" on the gravel, according to the pilot. He reportedly transitioned to a soft field takeoff procedure, but the aircraft started "sliding on the gravel." The pilot noted that he rotated prematurely and due to the gradual downhill terrain, was soon out of ground effect. He stated: "I decided to climb out straight ahead and go under the power lines. I lowered the nose for speed and thought that I had cleared the stop sign." However, the left main landing gear caught the sign causing the aircraft to flip over and subsequently impact the terrain. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 2003, at 1553 central daylight time, an amateur-built Strother KR2, N60MS, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged when it hit a roadway sign and subsequently impacted the terrain immediately after takeoff from a gravel road near Clarinda, Iowa. The pilot had executed a precautionary landing due to weather and was attempting to reposition the aircraft to the Schenck Field Airport (ICL) located 6 miles to the southeast when the accident occurred. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported minor injuries. The pilot's written statement noted that earlier in the day, the flight departed the Chillicothe Municipal Airport (CHT), Chillicothe, Missouri, with an intended destination of Red Oak Municipal Airport (RDK), Red Oak, Iowa. The pilot reported that as the flight passed ICL visibility was at 7 miles. However, he stated that when the flight was within 12 miles of RDK the weather began deteriorating rapidly. The pilot reported that he turned back toward ICL but was unable to maintain visual meteorological conditions. He elected to make a precautionary landing on a gravel road approximately 6 miles northwest of ICL. Approximately 3 hours after the precautionary landing, the weather had cleared and the pilot felt that he would be able to takeoff safely. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft began "hopping" on the gravel, according to the pilot. He reportedly transitioned to a soft field takeoff procedure, but the aircraft started "sliding on the gravel." The pilot noted that he rotated prematurely and due to the gradual downhill terrain, was soon out of ground effect. He stated: "I decided to climb out straight ahead and go under the power lines. I lowered the nose for speed and thought that I had cleared the stop sign." However, the left main landing gear caught the sign causing the aircraft to flip over and subsequently impact terrain. The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60MS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60MS), registered now, S/N 001, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Strother KR2 - Registry model: [Strother Mark KR2](https://openairdocs.org/model/strother-mark-kr2) (registry code 05610HQ) (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: 001 - Airframe hours: 186 - Engines: Hapi 602--D 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 6, 2002, 63 hours before - Departed: N/A, Clarinda, IA - Destination: ICL, Clarinda, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 20, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 19,169 total, 186 in this make and model, 18,368 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: ICL, 6 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 20030911026089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030911026089A), Sep 11, 2003: Amtr KR2, Clarinda, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot landed on a gravel road near Clarinda, Iowa, as a precaution due to thunderstorm and heavy rain activity in the area. After waiting for the… 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.