# NTSB CHI94LA267: De Havilland Tiger Moth DH-82A, N38KH, Interlochen, MI, August 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1994, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Interlochen, MI
- Coordinates: 44.760822, -85.700538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7608&lon=-85.7005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA267

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot to obtain the proper climb rate, and inadequate compensation for wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, takeoff - aborted
  - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 34.  THE RUNWAY IS SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY 50 FOOT TREES.  HE STATED THAT RIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE WIND SHIFTED 180 DEGREES AND THE AIRPLANE LOST AIRSPEED.  HE TRIED TO LAND BACK ON THE RUNWAY BEFORE THE AIRPLANE HIT THE TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE HIT HARD, BROKE THE LANDING GEAR, AND NOSED OVER.  THE WIND AT THE NEAREST REPORTING STATION, 13 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, WAS 050 AT 8 KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On August 2, 1994, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth, N38KH, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing and subsequent nose over, following a aborted takeoff from the Green Lake Airport, Interlochen, Michigan.  Neither the commercial pilot nor the sole passenger aboard the airplane were injured.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions existed for the local personal flight.

The pilot was attempting to takeoff on runway 34.  The runway is 2100 X 200 feet.  The runway is surrounded on all sides by 50 foot trees.  The pilot stated the wind shifted 180 degrees and the airplane lost airspeed, right after takeoff.  He said he tried to land on the runway before he reached the trees at the end of the runway.  The airplane landed hard, broke the main landing gear, and nosed over.  The recorded wind at the nearest reporting station, Traverse City, Michigan, was 050 degrees at 8 knots, recorded at 1745.  Traverse City is 13 miles northeast of the accident site.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38KH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38KH), registered now, S/N T8256 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND TIGER MOTH DH-82A (TIGER MOTH)
- Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: AVRO GYPSY MAJOR 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elmer E. Sandmire
- Registered owner: Harv Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Y88, Green Lake Airport, runway 34, 2,100 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; seat: front; flight hours: 8,000 total, 4 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 13 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 19940802025319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940802025319A), Aug 2, 1994: Dhavxx DH82AROBRTSN, Interlochen, MI, Substantial damage. Took off downwind. Unable clear trees. Aborted. Dived onto runway hard. Drove right gear through wing. Nosed over.

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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