# NTSB CHI08CA111: Veldhuizen Highlander, N8888V, Onida, SD, April 18, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 18, 2008, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Onida, SD - Coordinates: 44.712501, -100.095558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7125&lon=-100.0956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Rapid City, SD - NTSB case key (mKey): 68025 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68025/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA111 ## Probable cause The separation of the right main wheel from the landing gear during takeoff for an undetermined reason.. Contributing to the accident were rough/uneven terrain and that directional control was not possible. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Veldhuizen Gerald F HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=0562299), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Veldhuizen Gerald F HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0562299), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Veldhuizen Gerald F HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0562299), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Veldhuizen Gerald F HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=0562299), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Veldhuizen Gerald F HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0562299), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the tailwheel airplane swerved to the right and the right main wheel separated from the landing gear. The airplane then spun about 270 degrees before coming to a stop. The airplane was equipped with large-diameter, low-pressure tires commonly used for operations from unimproved fields. Examination confirmed that the field was rough. However, no evidence could be found that the landing gear encountered an obstruction in the field. Several tubes that were part of the fuselage structure were bent. ## Factual narrative The airplane was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff from a rough farm field. Several tubes that were part of the fuselage structure were bent. The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the tailwheel airplane swerved to the right and the right main wheel separated from the landing gear. The airplane then spun about 270 degrees before coming to a stop. The airplane was equipped with large-diameter, low-pressure tires commonly used for operations from unimproved fields. Examination confirmed that the field was rough. However, no evidence could be found that the landing gear encountered an obstruction in the field. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8888V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8888V-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N JAESC0125, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VELDHUIZEN Highlander - Registry model: [Veldhuizen Gerald F HIGHLANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/veldhuizen-gerald-f-highlander) (registry code 0562299) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JAESC0125 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Onida, SD - Destination: Strugis, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; flight hours: 2,000 total, 43 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20080418835679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080418835679A), Apr 18, 2008: Justac HIGHLANDER, Onida, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 18, 2008, at 1230 CDT a Highlander, N8888V, owned by [privacy data omitted] was taking off from a farmers field approximately 15 miles west of… 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.