# NTSB CHI08CA168: Wolseley Motors SE5-A, N93725, Seymour, IN, June 23, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 23, 2008, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Seymour, IN - Coordinates: 38.92472, -85.908332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9247&lon=-85.9083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68576 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68576/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA168 ## Probable cause The pilot/builder's failure to manufacture the airplane with an appropriate engine thrust angle. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/builder's adjustment of the horizontal stabilizer which rendered the airplane uncontrollable. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Wolseley Motors SE5-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=056233W), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Maintenance: modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Wolseley Motors SE5-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md?model=056233W), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Wolseley Motors SE5-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=056233W), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Empennage structure: horizontal stabilizer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035510): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Wolseley Motors SE5-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035510/cases.md?model=056233W), [All aircraft, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Wolseley Motors SE5-A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056233W), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Wolseley Motors SE5-A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056233W), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident occurred during the second flight since manufacture/certification. The experimental amateur built airplane was a reproduction of a WWI British fighter that was in production 1916-1918. On the first flight, the pilot noted that forward stick pressure was needed to maintain level flight. The pilot/builder subsequently adjusted the horizontal stabilizer to increase the nose-down flight characteristics. On the second flight, the pilot stated that the takeoff was normal, but the airplane had a lower rate-of-climb and airspeed than the first flight. Upon reaching 2,000 feet, the pilot reduced engine power and noted having normal stick pressure to maintain a level flight attitude, but a 10 mph drop in airspeed and 100 feet per minute descent rate. The airspeed and altitude continued to decrease as he turned to the left. An increase in engine power did not result in an increase in airspeed or reduction of the descent rate. The pilot stated that the airplane continued to lose airspeed and altitude until about 30-40 feet about ground level when the right wing dropped and the airplane impacted terrain. The original airplane design incorporated an engine installation with a zero degree engine thrust angle. The accident airplane incorporated a different engine that resulted in a 12-degree engine thrust angle. The pilot/builder was unaware of the thrust angle differences until after the accident flight. ## Factual narrative The accident occurred during the second flight since manufacture/certification. The experimental amateur built airplane was a reproduction of a WWI British fighter that was in production 1916-1918. On the first flight, the pilot noted that forward stick pressure was needed to maintain level flight. The pilot/builder subsequently adjusted the horizontal stabilizer to increase the nose-down flight characteristics. On the second flight, the pilot stated that the takeoff was normal but the airplane had a lower rate-of-climb and airspeed than the first flight. Upon reaching 2,000 feet, the pilot reduced engine power and noted having normal stick pressure to maintain a level flight attitude, but a 10 mph drop in airspeed and 100 feet per minute descent rate. The airspeed and altitude continued to decrease as he turned to the left. An increase in engine power did not result in an increase in airspeed or reduction of the descent rate. The pilot stated that the airplane continued to loose airspeed and altitude until about 30-40 feet about ground level when the right wing dropped and the airplane impacted terrain. The original airplane design incorporated an engine installation with a zero degree engine thrust angle. The accident airplane incorporated a different engine that resulted in a -12 degree engine thrust angle. The pilot/builder was unaware of the thrust angle differences until after the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93725](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93725-2012-02-13), registration cancelled 2012-02-13, S/N 0852 T, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wolseley Motors, Inc. SE5-A - Registry model: [Wolseley Motors SE5-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wolseley-motors-se5-a) (registry code 056233W) (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: 0852 T - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: General Motors LS-1 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2008, 2 hours before - Departed: SER, Seymour, IN - Destination: SER, Seymour, IN - Airport: SER, Freeman Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: rear; flight hours: 870 total, 2 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: BAK, 21 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 20080623840799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080623840799A), Jun 23, 2008: Amtr SE5A, Seymour, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) On 06/23/2008 at approximately 1410Z, a homebuilt experimental wolseley SE5A crashed into a field approximately 2 miles southwest of Freeman Municipal… ## Other investigations on N93725 (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN10CA441](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA441), Jul 27, 2010: Wolseley Motors SE5-A (N93725), Seymour, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while attempting to restart the engine. 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.