DEN06LA090

According to the pilot, passenger, and several witnesses, during takeoff the light jet became airborne momentarily, and then banked aggressively to the left. It impacted the runway in a left wing low attitude and cartwheeled down the runway. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. Approximately 1.5 minutes before the airplane was cleared for takeoff, a DeHavilland Dash 8 (DH-8) airplane departed. A wake turbulence study conducted by an NTSB aircraft performance engineer concluded that even slight movement in the atmosphere would have caused the circulation of the vortices near the accident site to decay to zero within two minutes, that is, before the time accident jet would have encountered the wake from the DH-8. The study states, in part: "Given the time of day of the accident, consistent reports of easterly surface wind speeds on the order of 6 to 7 knots, higher wind speeds aloft, and the mountainous terrain near Colorado Springs, it is unlikely that the atmosphere was quiescent enough to allow the wake vortices near the Sport-Jet to retain any significant circulation after two minutes. Furthermore, easterly surface winds would have blown the wake vortices well to the west of the runway by the time of the accident. Consequently, while in smooth air the wake vortices from the DH-8 that preceded Sport-Jet off of the runway may have retained enough circulation after two minutes to produce rolling moments on Sport-Jet on the order of the rolling moment available from the Sport-Jet's ailerons, it is most likely that the wake vortices were neither strong enough nor close enough to the Sport-Jet to cause the violent roll to the left reported by the pilot and witnesses to the accident."

History of flight

On June 22, 2006, at 0953 mountain daylight time, an Excel Sport-Jet experimental turbojet airplane, N350SJ, operated by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after takeoff from the City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained minor injures. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the COS air traffic control (ATC) tower, the airplane departed runway 17 R (11,022 feet by 150 feet, asphalt), became airborne only momentarily, and then impacted the runway and surrounding terrain. Several witnesses reported that approximately 15 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane rolled hard to the left and began to "cartwheel" down the runway. The airplane came to rest off the left side of the runway, between the Charlie 1 and Charlie 2 intersections (3,400 feet from the runway threshold).

According to a written statement submitted by the pilot, the preflight inspection, engine start, and taxi were normal and without any problems. The pilot stated that he "taxied to [runway] 17R without delay and was immediately cleared for takeoff with no need to stop." He stated that he rotated at 65 knots and "immediately upon becoming airborne, the aircraft began a roll to the left" for which he was not able to correct. The pilot stated that he had a right roll command; however, the roll to the left continued until the impact.

According to the passenger, the ground roll and rotation pitch were normal. He stated that once the airplane was airborne, they encountered a slight burble, and then an "abrupt roll to the left." The passenger stated that the control stick was pushed to the right and aft; this did not result in a recovery from the roll.

Personnel information

The pilot, age 64, held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument ratings. The pilot held a second class airman medical certificate that was issued on March 9, 2005. The certificate contained a limitation for corrective lenses. According to the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, he had logged 5,308 hours total time, 11.6 of which were in the accident airplane.

Aircraft information

The accident airplane, an Excel Sport-Jet (serial number 001), was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on an experimental (proof of concept) airworthiness certificate in August of 2005. The airplane was equipped with a Williams FJ 33 jet engine rated for 1,500 pounds of thrust. The airplane was designed with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 4,900 pounds. According to the operator, the aircraft weighed approximately 3,450 pounds at the time of departure.

The airplane was registered to and operated by Excel-Jet Ltd., and was maintained under a conditional inspection program. A review of the airplane test logs indicated the airplane had flown for 23.8 hours prior to the accident flight. The first flight was performed on March 12, 2006. A review of the airplane maintenance records indicated that the airplane underwent a routine inspection on June 21, 2006.

According to the aircraft maintenance log and company personnel, maintenance was performed on the aileron control system on June 21, 2006. The gear on the control yoke was replaced with a gear that was smaller in diameter by one tooth. The purpose of the replacement was to produce a lighter aileron while in flight. During the maintenance, the tension was loosened on the left wing at the turnbuckle. At no time were the cables removed. Following the maintenance, a load test and control continuity test were performed several times by the pilot, mechanic, and one other employee.

Meteorological information

The routine aviation weather report (METAR) for COS (elevation 6,187 feet mean sea level (msl)), issued at 0954, reported, winds, 090 degrees at 7 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, few clouds 6,000 feet; temperature 21 degrees Celsius (C); dewpoint, 09 degrees C; altimeter, 30.33 inches.

According to the ATC recordings, the winds reported prior to the accident are as follows:

100 degrees at 3 knots

080 degrees at 7 knots (wind report issued to the DH-8)

080 degrees at 6 knots

090 degrees at 6 knots (wind report issued to N350SJ)

Communications

According to ATC partial transcripts Air Shuttle 7052, a DeHavilland Dash 8-200 (DH-8), departed runway 17R prior to the Excel Sport-Jet. Air Shuttle 7052 was cleared to taxi to runway 17R via runway 12. According to National Track Analysis Program (NTAP) radar data, Air Shuttle 7052 entered the runway environment at the intersection of runway 12 and runway 17R. The ATC controller issued a takeoff clearance to Air Shuttle 7052 at 0950:11. At 0951:05, the pilot of N350SJ called ATC, ready for takeoff. The controller instructed the pilot to hold short of runway 17R and the pilot acknowledged. At 0951:50, the controller issued a wake turbulence advisory, the wind, and cleared N350SJ for takeoff. The pilot acknowledged the takeoff clearance.

Airport information

The City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport is located 6 miles southeast of Colorado Springs, Colorado, within Class Charlie airspace. The airport is located at a field elevation of 6,187 feet msl and provides aviation services to general aviation, commercial aviation, airlines, and the military. The airport has 3 runways: runway 17 L/35 R, 13,501 feet by 150 feet, concrete/grooved, runway 17 R/35 L, 11,022 feet by 150 feet, asphalt/grooved, and runway 12/30, 8,269 feet by 150 feet, asphalt/grooved.

Runway 17L/35R was closed at the time of the accident and had been closed since January 17, 2006. Runway construction is scheduled to be complete towards the end of October. All commercial traffic was departing from runway 17R/35L.

Wreckage and impact information

The FAA airworthiness inspector and operations inspector arrived on scene approximately 1500 on June 22, 2006.

The initial impact point, as identified by the FAA, was located 48 feet left of the runway centerline, near the 3,000 foot runway stripe, at a measured distance of 3,060 feet from the runway threshold. The first ground scar was approximately 4 feet in length and was oriented on a heading of approximately 155 degrees. A second ground scar initiated 2 feet from the end of the initial ground scar and continued at a 45-degree angle, off the runway surface. Additional ground scars continued in the dirt and vegetation up to the main wreckage.

The airplane came to rest 454 feet from the initial impact point, on an approximate heading of 150 degrees. The main wreckage consisted of the wing assemblies, the empennage, the engine, and the fuselage. Portions of the left aileron and the horizontal stabilizer and elevator separated from the airplane during the impact sequence. These were located within the debris field leading up to the main wreckage.

An examination of the airplane control systems was conducted by the FAA, revealing no anomalies. Control continuity to ailerons, elevator, and rudder was established. The pitch trim actuator was examined revealing no anomalies. The pitch trim setting was not determined, as the actuator linkage was broken, allowing the tab to move freely.

The airplane was recovered and relocated to a hangar at COS for further examination.

Tests and research

Wreckage Examination

The airplane wreckage was examined by the NTSB in Colorado Springs on June 29, 2006.

An examination of the right wing assembly, to include the right aileron, and right wing flap, was unremarkable. Six vorte