# NTSB CHI03LA318: Dixon Glasair II, N817CD, Columbia, IL, September 6, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2003, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Columbia, IL - Coordinates: 38.450553, -90.235832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4506&lon=-90.2358&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57986 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA318 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57986/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=57986 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA318 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. Contributing factors were the open cabin door, the grass runway and the soft terrain adjacent to the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor) - door - open (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff when, under maximum braking, it veered off the runway, encountered soft terrain, and flipped over. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the pilot side cabin door inadvertently opened. His attempt to secure the door was not successful and he initiated an aborted takeoff. According to the pilot's statement, the aircraft touched down in a "fast taxi roll" with very little runway remaining. He noted that when he applied maximum braking effort, the aircraft "veered off [the] runway" and encountered soft terrain. The nose gear and left main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft subsequently flipped over. The pilot stated that he verified the door was closed and latched as part of the before takeoff checklist procedure. Although the cabin door was damaged during the accident, the pilot reported there were no anomalies with the door latching mechanism consistent with a pre-impact failure. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2003, at 1500 central daylight time, an amateur-built Dixon Glasair II, N817CD, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff on runway 3 (2,450 feet x 100 feet, turf) at the Sackman Field Airport (H49), Columbia, Illinois. 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 of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local flight was originating when the accident occurred. In his written statement, the pilot reported that on the takeoff roll the aircraft initially lifted off, however, it settled back onto the runway momentarily. As the aircraft lifted off again, the pilot side cabin door inadvertently "flew open", according to the pilot. His attempt to secure the door was not successful and he initiated an aborted takeoff. According to the pilot's statement, the aircraft touched down in a "fast taxi roll" with very little runway remaining. He noted that when he applied maximum braking effort, the aircraft "veered off [the] runway" and encountered soft terrain. The nose gear and left main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft subsequently flipped over. The pilot stated that he verified the door was closed and latched as part of the before takeoff checklist procedure. Although the cabin door was damaged during the accident, the pilot reported there were no anomalies with the door latching mechanism consistent with a pre-impact failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N817CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N817CD-2006-03-29), registration cancelled 2006-03-29, S/N 230, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Dixon Glasair II - Registry model: [Dixon C K JR GLASAIR II FT SH](https://openairdocs.org/model/dixon-c-k-jr-glasair-ii-ft-sh) (registry code 0569108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 230 - Airframe hours: 691 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 1, 2003, 51 hours before - Departed: H49, Columbia, IL - Airport: H49, Columbia, runway 3, 2,450 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 19, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 503 total, 33 in this make and model, 427 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: CPS, 8 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 20030906036689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030906036689A), Sep 6, 2003: Amtr GLASAIRIIFT, Columbia, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot reported that on the takeoff roll the aircraft initially lifted off, however, it settled back onto the runway momentarily. As the aircraft… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 8, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=57986. 389 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 389 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413869&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.