# NTSB CHI91DER14: Milner, Dick G Glasair II, N327DM, Milaca, MN, August 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1991, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Milaca, MN
- Coordinates: 45.750446, -93.650161 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7504&lon=-93.6502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DER14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DER14

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF AND DEPARTURE WHICH RESULTED IN A DRAGGED WING AND GROUND IMPACT. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE ROUGH AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPEREINCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION, AND THE PREMATURE LIFT-OFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - grass
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO LIFT OFF THE GRASS RUNWAY PREMATURELY, PLANNING TO HOLD IT IN GROUND EFFECT AND ACCELERATE. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE AS IT BOUNCED AND SWERVED BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE.  THEY REPORTED THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND BANKED LEFT.  THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK THE GRASS AND THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GRASS STRIP.  THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN SOME BUSHY TREES AND CAUGHT FIRE.  THE PILOT HAD ABOUT 40 HOURS IN THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT.  IT WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST OPERATION ON A SOD STRIP IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT.  THE PILOT STATED THE AIRSTRIP WAS BUMPY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N327DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N327DM-1991-11-14), registration cancelled 1991-11-14, S/N 327 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MILNER, DICK G GLASAIR II
- Registry model: [Milner Dick G GLASAIR I](https://openairdocs.org/model/milner-dick-g-glasair-i) (registry code 05691BS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 327
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dick Gerboth Milner
- Registered owner: Dick Gerboth Milner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: D36, DULUTH, MN
- Airport: 18Y, Milaca, Muni, runway 34, 2,900 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,880 total, 45 in this make and model, 2,840 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 25 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 19910811033039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910811033039A), Aug 11, 1991: Amtr GLASAIR, Milaca, MN, Destroyed. Aircraft not under control after takeoff. Wing tip scraped runway. Veered left into brush. Destroyed by fire.

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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