# NTSB ERA10CA087: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo, N319UA, Ashland, VA, November 20, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 20, 2009, 18:25 local (23:25 UTC) - Place: Ashland, VA - Coordinates: 37.708889, -77.436668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7089&lon=-77.4367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75115 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75115/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75115 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA087 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during the landing approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings at night, and due to the obstructions below, the pilot flew the approaches at a “steep” angle. He had successfully completed about nine uneventful approaches and landings before the accident approach. During the accident approach the pilot noted some light turbulence and the airplane began to descend below the “normal” glide path. He added power and arrested the descent, but the airplane struck some trees. He noted that the airspeed or the pitch of the airplane did not change when the airplane struck trees. He made an uneventful landing, but during the post-flight inspection he noticed substantial damage to the leading edges of the wings and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were calm. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoff and landing at night, and due to the obstructions below, the pilot flew the approaches at a “steep” angle. He had successfully completed about nine uneventful approaches and landings before the accident approach. During the accident approach the pilot noted some light turbulence and the airplane began to descend below the “normal” glide path. He added power and arrested the descent, but the airplane struck some trees. He noted that the airspeed or the pitch of the airplane did not change when the airplane struck trees. He made an uneventful landing, but during the post-flight inspection noticed substantial damage to the leading edges of the wings and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N319UA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N319UA), registered now, S/N 126, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P2004 BRAVO - Registry model: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO](https://openairdocs.org/model/costruzioni-aeronautiche-tecna-p2004-bravo) (registry code 060001M) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 126 - Airframe hours: 350 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Heart of Virginia Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Mid-Atlantic Air Ventures Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 28, 2009, 50 hours before - Departed: KOFP, Ashland, VA - Destination: KOFP, Ashland, VA - Airport: KOFP, Hanover County Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 12, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,328 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,187 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KOFP ## 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 20091120051799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091120051799A), Nov 20, 2009: Costruzioni P2004 BRAVO, Hanover, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot undershot runway on a night approach to runway 34. Aircraft struck trees and landed on runway 34. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 4, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75115. 650 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 560 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323503&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323504&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report: OFP METARs (item 3, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%3A%20OFP%20METARs-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.