# NTSB CHI91DEP13: Merritt Robertson B1-RD, Menasha, WI, September 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1991, 16:34 local (21:34 UTC)
- Place: Menasha, WI
- Coordinates: 44.210113, -88.430198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2101&lon=-88.4302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEP13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEP13

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK OUT WHIH RESULTED IN A WIRE STRIKE AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.

## 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
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A NON-CERTIFIED PILOT IN A NON-CERTIFIED AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE OF FLIGHT.  THE OWNER OF THE AIRCRAFT AND WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT, STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. WHEN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR CONTACTED WIRES, THE WING FABRIC CAUGHT FIRE. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND AND CONTINUED TO BURN.  THE PILOT ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES, HOWEVER A PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MERRITT ROBERTSON B1-RD (ROBERTSON)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: ROTAX 07 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frane, Steve, doing business as 0
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATW, 8 nm away

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.

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