# NTSB CHI06CA126: Helmetag Glassair III, N26H, Aurora, IL, May 7, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2006, 13:48 local (18:48 UTC) - Place: Aurora, IL - Coordinates: 41.771945, -88.475555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7719&lon=-88.4756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-DuPage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63665 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63665/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A contributing factor was the airport sign impacted during the runway excursion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ground - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged during takeoff when the pilot lost directional control. The pilot stated, "During the takeoff roll the aircraft drifted left. I corrected and increased throttle." He reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane continued to drift left, and he continued to correct. The pilot continued, "Near liftoff speed (80 kts), [the airplane] drifted again. I couldn't control the plane with full rudder or right brake. (It has no steerable nosewheel.) When the left wheel hit the grass, I lost control." The airplane subsequently impacted an airport sign during the runway excursion and came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. No damage consistent with a pre impact failure was observed during the post accident examination. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 2006, at 1348 central daylight time, an amateur-built Helmetag Glassair III, N26H, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during takeoff roll on runway 18 (3,199 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR), Aurora, Illinois. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident and had an intended destination of Oswego County Airport (FZY), Fulton, New York, with a preceding intermediate fuel stop. In his written statement, the pilot reported that the flight was assigned runway 18 for departure. He noted that he had taken off from this runway in the past without any problems. He stated, "During the takeoff roll the aircraft drifted left. I corrected and increased throttle." He reported that the airplane continued to drift left, and he continued to correct the drift during the takeoff roll. The pilot continued, "Near liftoff speed (80 kts), [the airplane] drifted again. I couldn't control the plane with full rudder or right brake. (It has no steerable nosewheel.) When the left wheel hit the grass, I lost control." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a post accident examination. He reported that the runway skid marks and wheel tracks in the grass were consistent with the airplane departing the runway pavement to the left. These marks indicated the airplane returned to the runway, before departing it a second time and coming to rest in the grass. The airplane struck an airport sign during the second runway excursion. The landing gear had collapsed. He noted that rudder continuity was confirmed. The right brake assembly was damaged consistent with the accident sequence. The pilot stated that normal liftoff speed for the accident airplane was approximately 80 knots. He recalled that the wind conditions were from 140 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The ARR Automated Surface Observing System, at 1353, recorded winds from 210 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26H), registered now, S/N 3170, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Helmetag Glassair III - Registry model: [Helmetag Roy W GLASSAIR III](https://openairdocs.org/model/helmetag-roy-w-glassair-iii) (registry code 05605I7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3170 - Airframe hours: 309 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1H5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2005 - Departed: ARR, Aurora, IL - Destination: SYR, Syracuse, NY - Airport: ARR, Aurora Muni, runway 18, 3,199 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: ARR ## 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 20060507011069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060507011069A), May 7, 2006: Amtr GLASAIRIII, Chicago/Aurora, IL, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft departed runway 18 at Aurora airport (arr), Aurora, IL. Pilot stated that he lost control of the aircraft prior to rotation. He explained that… 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.