# NTSB CHI94DEP02: Corby Starlet, N754RG, Watertown, WI, March 5, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: March 5, 1994, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Watertown, WI - Coordinates: 43.190891, -88.7201 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1909&lon=-88.7201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9345 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94DEP02 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9345/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94DEP02 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF THE ELEVATOR AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT. ## 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 - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING THE FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS HOME BUILT AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT HE 'PULLED BACK TOO FAR ON THE STICK, APPARENTLY STALLING THE RIGHT WING...' ON THE INITIAL TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE GROUND WITH THE RIGHT WING FIRST THEN CARTWHEELED. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT March 5, 1994, about 1115 central standard time, a homebuilt Corby Starlet, N754RG, registered to and operated by Ronald J. Grosse of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain on takeoff from runway 23 at Watertown Municipal Airport, Watertown, Wisconsin. The solo pilot received no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The accident fight was the first flight for the amateur built airplane and was the first flight in this type of airplane for the pilot-in-command. The pilot stated, "I pulled back too far on the stick, apparently stalling the right wing at 20 feet." PERSONAL INFORMATION The pilot-in-command held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land rating. He had accumulated 225 hours total time and 0 (Zero) in this model airplane. He held a third class medical certificate with the date of the last examination of August 21, 1992. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane a Corby Starlet, serial number 01, registration number N754RG, was amateur built, and was issued a special airworthiness certificate in the Experimental category on August 4, 1993. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Ground impact scars indicate that initial impact was with the right wing tip and the airplane cartwheeled. The airplane ended up inverted. The wings broke off at the fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no operational problems with the airplane. The flight controls were intact and connected to the control system. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The owner of the airplane retained possession of the wreckage and removed it from the accident site. The accident investigation was concluded on March 15, 1994. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N754RG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N754RG-1994-06-21), registration cancelled 1994-06-21, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CORBY STARLET - Registry model: [Grosso Ronald John CORBY STARLET](https://openairdocs.org/model/grosso-ronald-john-corby-starlet) (registry code 056225Z) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Engines: Volkswagen 1641 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Grosse, Ronald J. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, August 4, 1993, 0 hours before - Destination: RYV - Airport: RYV, Watertown Municipal, runway 23, 4,200 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 225 total, 150 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GRB, 85 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 19940305003799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940305003799A), Mar 5, 1994: Amtr POBERJRACE, Watertown, WI, Substantial damage. First flight stalled a wing. Too much back pressure. Wing hit ground. Homebuilt cartwheeled. 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.