# NTSB CHI91DER12: Lacey B D4, N363H, Albert Lea, MN, July 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1991, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Albert Lea, MN
- Coordinates: 43.650566, -93.360557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6506&lon=-93.3606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DER12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER12

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.  RELATED FACTORS ARE THE TALL GRASS RUNWAY CONDITIONS, AND THE INADEQUATE AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - grass
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - not possible, pilot in command
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER REPORTED, 'ABOUT HALFWAY SOWN THE RUNWAY (DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL) THE PILOT PUSHED THE STICK FORWARD AND LIFTED THE TAIL...IT APPEARED TO ME THAT THE PLANE TRIED TO LIFT OFF AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE.'  AS THEY NEARED THE END OF THE RUNWAY THE PASSENGER HEARD THE PILOT COMMENT ,'WE AREN'T GOING TO MAKE IT.' HE STATED THE AIRPLANE VEERED RIGHT AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP, NOSED DOWN IN A FIELD.  A GROUND FIRE ENSUED, WHICH DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT AND PILOT LOGBOOK RECORDS.  THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS REMOVED FROM THE FIELD WITH A FRONT END LOADER, AND WAS LOCATED IN A WOODED AREA WHEN EXAMINED BY FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PRE IMPACT MALFUNCTION/DIFFICULTY.  THE SHERIFF REPORTED THAT THE GRASS ON THE 2,500 FOOT LANG AIRSTRIP WAS TALL (ABOUT 6 INCHES) AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 85 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N363H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N363H-1997-06-10), registration cancelled 1997-06-10, S/N 363 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LACEY B D4
- Registry model: [Lacey BD-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/lacey-bd-4) (registry code 1130476) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 363
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daren C. Whipple
- Registered owner: Daren C. Whipple
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: RST, ROCHESTER, MN
- Airport: NONE, Jensen Air Field, runway 36, 2,509 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 190 total, 51 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °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 19910705026259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910705026259A), Jul 5, 1991: Amtrbd BEDEBD4, Manchester, MN, Destroyed. Indicates pulled homebuilt off early to get out of unmowed grass on runway. Lost control impacted in plowed field.

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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