# NTSB DEN00LA147: Fisher Glastar GS-1, N99DF, Berthoud, CO, August 10, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 2000, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Berthoud, CO - Coordinates: 40.299312, -105.080787 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2993&lon=-105.0808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49948/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA147 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during takeoff. A factor was the irrigation equipment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - compensation for wind conditions - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - other (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane drifted slightly to the left (north) as the pilot landed to the east, going uphill, on the private airstrip. He noted irrigation equipment on the south side of the airstrip. Takeoff was made to the west going downhill and he noticed 'considerable drift to the right (north).' He lowered the left wing to correct for the drift. As the airplane lifted off, the left wing struck an irrigation buggy wheel, causing the airplane to spin around 180 degrees. The airplane slid backwards, tearing off the tail wheel, and came to a halt under the sprinkler arm. The wind recorded at an airport 13 miles north of the accident site was from the south (160 degrees) at 7 knots with gusts to 14 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 2000, at approximately 1030 mountain daylight time, a Fisher Glastar GS-1, N99DF, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a pivotal sprinkler system during takeoff from a farm near Berthoud, Colorado. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's accident report, the airplane drifted slightly to the left (north) as he landed to the east, going uphill, on the private airstrip. He noted irrigation equipment on the south side of the airstrip. Takeoff was made to the west going downhill and he noticed "considerable drift to the right (north)." He lowered the left wing to correct for the drift. As the airplane lifted off, the left wing struck an irrigation buggy wheel, causing the airplane to spin around 180 degrees. The airplane slid backwards, tearing off the tail wheel, and came to a halt under the sprinkler arm. A report filed by the Larimer County Sheriff's Department corroborated the events reported by the pilot. The wind recorded at the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport, located 13 miles north of the accident site, was from the south (160 degrees) at 7 knots with gusts to 14 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: N99DF (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Fisher GLASTAR GS-1 (GLASTAR GS) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5221 - Airframe hours: 38 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David M. Fisher - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1999, 38 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: 2V2, LONGMONT, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,185 total, 38 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FNL, 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 20000810004949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000810004949A), Aug 10, 2000: Ft Collins, CO, No damage. (-23) Single pilot took off from loveland airport (3V5) and landed on a friends grass airstrip 9 miles sw. Upon takeoff crosswinds had picked up and a/c… 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.