# NTSB DEN00LA100: Culver LFA, N34783, Moab, UT, June 2, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 2000, 13:05 local (19:05 UTC) - Place: Moab, UT - Coordinates: 38.529758, -109.549476 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5298&lon=-109.5495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49344 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49344/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA100 ## Probable cause Overheating of the left brake, causing the wheel to lock. Factors were the pilot not being able to maintain directional control, a dirt berm, and a drainage ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,normal brake system - overtemperature (cause) - landing gear,wheel - locked (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was taking off on runway 21. As he raised the tail for lift off (about 50 mph), the airplane 'abruptly swerved to left (90 degrees), [departed] the runway, crossed a dirt border about 6 feet wide, flipped on its back, and slid down to the bottom of a drainage ditch between the runway and the adjacent taxiway.' The pilot said the airplane was equipped with Goodyear 'expanded tube' brakes, known to lock up if overheated (brakes were used for landing and for taxi to takeoff). An airport mechanic attempted to turn the left main wheel by hand shortly after the accident, and found the wheel to be binding. The right wheel turned freely. Later, he tried again and the wheel turned freely. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2000, at 1305 mountain daylight time, a Culver LFA, N34783, registered to A Pair of Jacks, Inc., was destroyed when it collided with terrain during takeoff at Canyonlands Field, Moab, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a telephone interview and in the accident report, the pilot said he had stopped at Moab for fuel, and was taking off on runway 21, en route to Canon City, Colorado. As he raised the tail for lift off (about 50 mph), the airplane "abruptly swerved to left (90 degrees), [departed] the runway, crossed a dirt border about 6 feet wide, flipped on its back, and slid down to the bottom of a drainage ditch between the runway and the adjacent taxiway." The pilot said his airplane was equipped with Goodyear "expanded tube" brakes, known to lock up if they overheat (the pilot had used the brakes during landing and for taxi to takeoff). The airport mechanic attempted to turn the left main wheel by hand shortly after the accident, and found the wheel to be binding. The right wheel turned freely. Later, he tried again and the wheel turned freely. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34783](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34783), registered now, S/N 239, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Culver LFA - Registry model: [Culver LFA](https://openairdocs.org/model/culver-lfa) (registry code 8730204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC199D&E series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac199d-e-series) (registry code 27009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: A Pair Of Jacks, Inc. - Departed: CNY - Destination: 1V6, CANON CITY, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported - Wind: 210° at 9 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: CNY ## 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 20000602007789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000602007789A), Jun 2, 2000: Moab, UT, No damage. (-23) Upon departure at Moab, UT, pilot lost directional control of aircraft due to braking problems. Aircraft departed runway to the left, ground looped and… 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.