# NTSB DEN08CA154: North American SNJ-5, N9813C, Leadville, CO, September 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 5, 2008, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Leadville, CO - Coordinates: 39.220001, -106.316665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2200&lon=-106.3167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 68918 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68918/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA154 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [North American SNJ-5, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=6400418), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the preflight inspection was performed and an engine run-up was "completely successful" on the supercharged engine. He advanced the throttle to "full power," noted 2,050 rpm and 20 inches (expecting 2,200 rpm and 32 inches) and released the brakes for the ground roll. After an 800-foot ground roll, the pilot noted 55 miles per hour, 2,100 rpm, and 28 inches. The airplane drifted to the right and the pilot attempted to correct with the application of left rudder and aileron control. The airplane became airborne and the left wing contacted the ground. The airplane settled back to the ground and headed towards the left side of the runway, at which time the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane became airborne one additional time, departed the runway environment to the left, and impacted several trees, resulting in substantial damage. Density altitude at the time of the accident was estimated to be 11,570 feet. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to the accident report form submitted by the pilot, the preflight inspection was performed and an engine run-up was "completely successful" on the supercharged engine. He advanced the throttle to "full power," noted 2,050 rpm and 20 inches (expecting 2,200 rpm and 32 inches) and released the brakes for the ground roll. After an 800 foot ground roll, the pilot noted 55 miles per hour, 2,100 rpm, and 28 inches. The airplane drifted to the right and the pilot attempted to correct with the application of left rudder and aileron control. The airplane became airborne and the left wing contacted the ground. The airplane settled back to the ground and headed towards the left side of the runway, at which time the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane became airborne one additional time, departed the runway environment to the left, and impacted several trees. Both leading edges were crushed aft, crushing multiple ribs, and wrinkling the leading edge skin. Several stringers and both sides of the horizontal stabilizer sustained impact damage. Density altitude at the time of the accident was estimated to be 11,570 feet. An examination of the airplane systems revealed no anomalies. According to the owner of the airplane, 2,100 rpm and 27 inches was not abnormal for that make and model of airplane at that altitude. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9813C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9813C), registered now, S/N 84995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: North American SNJ-5 - Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 84995 - Airframe hours: 4367 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2007 - Departed: LXV, Leadville, CO - Destination: LXV, Leadville, CO - Airport: LXV, Lake County Airport, runway 34, 6,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 2,664 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,016 as pilot in command, 169 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 1997; seat: rear; flight hours: 193 total, 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: LXV, 1 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 20080905848159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080905848159A), Sep 5, 2008: Namer SNJ5, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot and owner/passenger performed normal run-up with a good systems check. Pilot initiated takeoff roll down rwy 34. He stated that he pushed forward… ## Other investigations on N9813C (2) 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. - [NTSB DEN86FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA231), Aug 15, 1986: North American AT-6D (N9813C), Redcliff, CO, destroyed, 2 fatal - [NTSB NYC66F0166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66F0166), Aug 14, 1965: No American SNJ-5 (N9813C), Monroeville, PA, substantial damage 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.