# NTSB DFW08CA024: Pipistrel Sinus 912, N457EZ, Holt, FL, November 3, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 3, 2007, 14:48 local (18:48 UTC) - Place: Holt, FL - Coordinates: 30.685556, -86.747222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6856&lon=-86.7472&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham, Alabama - NTSB case key (mKey): 67011 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67011/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA024 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. A contributing factor was the gusting crosswind. ## Analysis The 461-hour commercial pilot lost directional control of the single-engine experimental light sport aircraft while attempting to takeoff from Runway 27 with a prevailing crosswind. Prior to initiating the takeoff roll, the pilot noted the airstrip's windsock indicating variable winds with a maximum velocity of approximately 5 knots. Immediately after takeoff, the pilot reported a sudden drop of the right wing when the aircraft cleared the tree line surrounding the airstrip. When the pilot applied aileron and rudder inputs to level the wings, a gust of wind lifted the right wing resulting in the left wing contacting the ground. The pilot reported a loss of directional control as the aircraft spun in a counter clockwise direction. The rudder contacted the ground and the aircraft nosed-over, and came to rest in the inverted position. Both pilot were able to egress the airplane without incident. The pilot estimates that the crosswinds significantly increased when the aircraft began to clear the surrounding tree line. An automated weather reporting facility approximate 13-nautical miles to the northeast of the airstrip reported a peak wind of 10 knots near the time of the accident. On the NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot attributes the lost of directional control to the 49-foot wingspan of the aircraft and the crosswind conditions at the airfield. The pilot reported the winds at the time of the accident as variable and gusty. ## Factual narrative The 461-hour commercial pilot lost directional control of the single-engine experimental light sport aircraft while attempting to takeoff from Runway 27 with a prevailing crosswind. Prior to initiating the takeoff roll, the pilot noted the airstrip's windsock indicating variable winds with a maximum velocity of approximately 5 knots. Immediately after takeoff, the pilot reported a sudden drop of the right wing when the aircraft cleared the tree line surrounding the airstrip. When the pilot applied aileron and rudder inputs to level the wings, a gust of wind lifted the right wing resulting in the left wing contacting the ground. The pilot reported a loss of directional control as the aircraft spun in a counter clock-wise direction. The rudder contacted the ground and the aircraft nosed-over, and came to rest in the inverted position. Both pilot were able to egress the airplane without incident. The pilot estimates that the crosswinds significantly increased when the aircraft began to clear the surrounding tree line. An automated weather reporting facility approximate 13-nautical miles to the northeast of the airstrip reported a peak wind of 10 knots near the time of the accident. On the NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot attributes the lost of directional control to the 49-foot wingspan of the aircraft and the crosswind conditions at the airfield. The pilot reported the winds at the time of the accident as variable and gusty. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Aircraft - Registration: [N457EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N457EZ-2011-01-07), registration cancelled 2011-01-07, S/N 192SN912 02 06 KIT49, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pipistrel Sinus 912 - Registry model: [Pipistrel SINUS-LIGHT SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/pipistrel-sinus-light-sport) (registry code 0600030) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 192SN912 02 06 KIT49 - Airframe hours: 90 - Engines: Rotax 912UL2 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rascorp Emerald Coast Inc, doing business as Rascorp Emerald Coast Inc - Registered owner: Rascorp Emerald Coast Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, April 1, 2007 - Departed: FD93, Yellow River, FL - Airport: FD93, Yellow River Airstrip, runway 27, 2,550 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 461 total, 101 in this make and model, 330 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F 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.