# NTSB CHI98LA015: Reed-Madsen Taylor Bird, N12121, Humboldt, IA, October 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 5, 1997, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Humboldt, IA - Coordinates: 42.719066, -94.219093 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7191&lon=-94.2191&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 February 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10766 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10766/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA015 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot-in-command to attain airspeed and maintain control of the aircraft, resulting in a stall/mush. ## 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 - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Occurrence ## Analysis In a written statement, the pilot said that he completed a run-up and checked the flight controls prior to takeoff from runway 30 (3400'x 60'.) The airplane lifted off after a ground roll of approximately 2000'. The pilot then stated that his flight controls didn't seem to be working. Shortly thereafter, the airplane banked to the right and pitched down, causing the right wing and nose to contact the runway. The airplane then slid onto the grass where it struck a runway marker light, coming to rest facing the opposite direction of intended travel. The pilot stated that it 'was a ground effect stall ## Factual narrative On October 5, 1997, at 1515 central daylight time, a Reed-Madsen Taylor Bird, N12121, operated by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when shortly after takeoff the airplane impacted the terrain. The pilot/builder reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was on file. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot said that he completed a run-up and checked the flight controls prior to takeoff from runway 30 (3400'x 60'.) The airplane lifted off after a ground roll of approximately 2000', just prior to the intersection of the perpendicular runway. The pilot then stated that his flight controls didn't seem to be working. Shortly thereafter, the airplane banked to the right and pitched down, causing the right wing and nose to contact the runway. The airplane then slid onto the grass where it struck a runway marker light, coming to rest facing the opposite direction of intended travel. The pilot stated that it "was a ground effect stall." He said that he looked at the airspeed indicator once before rotation and it indicated 40 knots. The aircraft was inspected and found to be resting in a grassy area adjacent to runway 12/30 on the north side approximately 500' northwest of a taxiway intersection. The forward fuselage structure, landing gear, and belly showed substantial damage. There was also damage to the right wing tip. There were ground scars and skid marks on the runway between 415' and 450' from the main wreckage. The airplane's flight control surfaces were checked and determined to be functioning properly. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot-in-command underwent a second class medical examination on July 10, 1997, but was not given a medical certificate upon completion. In August, 1997, the pilot was given a three-day biennial flight review, but was not signed-off/endorsed upon completion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12121](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12121), registered now, S/N 09 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: REED-MADSEN TAYLOR BIRD (TAYLOR BIR) - Registry model: [Reed-Madsen Donald TAYLOR BIRD](https://openairdocs.org/model/reed-madsen-donald-taylor-bird) (registry code 05602VR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 09 - Airframe hours: 2 - Engines: Subaru 1600CC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald Henry Madsen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, September 10, 1997, 2 hours before - Departed: 0K7 - Destination: 0K7 - Airport: 0K7, Humboldt Municipal Apt, runway 30, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: front; flight hours: 700 total, 2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FOD ## 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 19971005029959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971005029959A), Oct 5, 1997: Humboldt, IA, Substantial damage. Right wind dipped on takeoff. Turned right then landed hard in the grass. 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.