# NTSB ERA10CA033: Elkins Christen Eagle II, N78E, Athens, KY, October 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 25, 2009, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Athens, KY - Coordinates: 37.942222, -84.358886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9422&lon=-84.3589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74959 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74959/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74959 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA033 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper liftoff, resulting in a collision with the ground during climbout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Elkins Edward J CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05658TD), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Elkins Edward J CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05658TD), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Elkins Edward J CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05658TD), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Elkins Edward J CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05658TD), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Elkins Edward J CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05658TD), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during takeoff from the turf runway, he became airborne at "lower than normal" airspeed. The pilot lowered the airplane's nose to gain airspeed, and the airplane's main landing gear contacted the ground. He reported hearing a "metallic sound" and "suspected damage to the right wheel pant." The pilot proceeded with the takeoff, and chose to circle the airport and land to inspect the damage. According to the pilot, the approach to landing was normal and the touchdown was "firm but within normal range." Upon touchdown, both left and right main gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane after the accident reported identifying no mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during takeoff from the turf runway, he became airborne at "lower than normal" airspeed. The pilot lowered the airplane's nose to gain airspeed, and the airplane's main landing gear contacted the ground. He reported hearing a "metallic sound" and "suspected damage to the right wheel pant." The pilot proceeded with the takeoff, and chose to circle the airport and land to inspect the damage. According to the pilot, the approach to landing was normal and the touchdown was "firm but within normal range." Upon touchdown, both left and right main landing gears collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane after the accident reported identifying no mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78E-2018-11-26), registration cancelled 2018-11-26, S/N ELKINS 0001, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Elkins Christen Eagle II - Registry model: [Elkins Edward J CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/elkins-edward-j-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658TD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0001 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Edward Larkin - Registered owner: Edward Larkin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: N/A, Athens, KY - Destination: K62, Falmouth, KY - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: N/A, Silo Field, runway 07, 3,500 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2008; flight hours: 2,100 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: LEX, 10 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 20091025025669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091025025669A), Oct 25, 2009: Elkins Edwa CHRISTEN EA, Athens, KY, Substantial damage. On the departure take off from a 3500 foot private grass strip the subject pilot initiated lift off at a slower than normal ground speed. In an attempt to gain… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74959. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322172&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322074&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA (item 3, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322073&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322066&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo - Courtesy of FAA (item 5, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322076&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.