# NTSB CHI99LA234: Grimm SEA Hawker, N188AK, Princeton, MN, July 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1999, 12:03 local (17:03 UTC) - Place: Princeton, MN - Coordinates: 45.570499, -93.58921 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5705&lon=-93.5892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46802/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA234 ## Probable cause The erratic aileron control response for undetermined reasons. A factor was the tree. ## 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 - flt control syst,aileron control - erratic (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was destroyed when it was consumed by fire following an impact with terrain, during an emergency landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot said that after takeoff, at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level (AGL), and an airspeed of 70 knots, '...the aircraft began to roll around it's longitudinal axis left then right continuously.' The pilot said that, 'the uncontrollable roll left/right started a descent of the aircraft.' The pilot was attempting to return to PNM when he determined that the aircraft was '... too low for landing at PNM and an emergency landing was made....' The pilot said that the left wing of the airplane struck a tree on landing and subsequently burst into flames as he was attempting to exit the aircraft. A postaccident examination revealed no identified anomalies with respect to the airframe or control system. The entire fuselage and the inboard portions of the wings were consumed by fire. The engine was examined and it evidenced fire damage. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1999, at 1203 central daylight time, an amateur-built Grimm Sea Hawker, N188AK, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was destroyed when it was consumed by fire following an impact with terrain, during an emergency landing, near the Princeton Municipal Airport (PNM), Princeton, MN. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries. The flight had originated about 1200 for a local flight. In a written statement, the pilot said that after takeoff from runway 15 (3,900 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt), at PNM, at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level (AGL), and an airspeed of 70 knots, "...the aircraft began to roll around it's longitudinal axis left then right continuously." The pilot said that, "the uncontrollable roll left/right started a descent of the aircraft." The pilot was attempting to return to PNM when he determined that the aircraft was "... too low for landing at PNM and an emergency landing was made...." The pilot said that the left wing of the airplane struck a tree on landing and subsequently burst into flames as he was attempting to exit the aircraft. The aircraft was a kit-built amphibian consisting of a composite airframe structure and was powered by a Lycoming O-320 series engine. The aircraft came to rest, in a vacant lot, approximately 0.5 miles north of the approach end of the runway at PNM. A postaccident examination revealed no identified anomalies with respect to the airframe or control system. The entire fuselage and the inboard portions of the wings were consumed by fire. The engine was examined and it evidenced fire damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N188AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N188AK-2000-05-10), registration cancelled 2000-05-10, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grimm SEA HAWKER - Registry model: [Grimm Adrian K SEA HAWKER](https://openairdocs.org/model/grimm-adrian-k-sea-hawker) (registry code 05605YK) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Adrian Grimm - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1998, 1 hours before - Departed: PNM - Airport: runway 15, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,232 total, 1 in this make and model, 3,175 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PNM ## 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 19990713008909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990713008909A), Jul 13, 1999: Amtr SEAHAWKER, Princeton, MN, Destroyed. Acft crashed on departure from Princeton airport and burned on impact. (.19) on July 13, 1999, at 1203 central daylight time, an amateur-built grimm sea… 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.