# NTSB ERA10CA311: Dwight Lohr Baby Ace, N39D, Carolina Beach, NC, June 13, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 13, 2010, 19:12 local (23:12 UTC) - Place: Carolina Beach, NC - Coordinates: 34.1025, -77.902496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1025&lon=-77.9025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76309 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76309/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76309 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA311 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree during initial climb after takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Baby Ace Home Built HOME BUILT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=00301GZ), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Baby Ace Home Built HOME BUILT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=00301GZ), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Baby Ace Home Built HOME BUILT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=00301GZ), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to a witness, after performing a touch and go, the pilot initiated a left turnout from the runway, which was bordered by trees on its left side. While still climbing, the airplane's left wing struck a pine tree approximately 1 foot below its top. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest nose-down, almost vertical, in a sandy area next to a parking lot. He also noted a broken branch from a 40- to 50-foot pine tree approximately 1,000 feet from the beginning of the 2,750-foot runway. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of any preimpact failures or malfunctions of the airplane or engine. The pilot did not respond to an NTSB request for information about the accident. ## Factual narrative According to a witness, after performing a touch and go, the pilot initiated a left turnout from the runway, which was bordered by trees on its left side. While still climbing, the airplane's left wing struck a pine tree approximately 1 foot below its top. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest nose-down, almost vertical, in a sandy area next to a parking lot. He also noted a broken branch from a 40- to 50-foot pine tree approximately 1,000 feet from the beginning of the 2,750-foot runway, and no evidence of any preimpact failures or malfunctions of the airplane or engine. The pilot did not respond to an NTSB request for information about the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39D-2010-08-17), registration cancelled 2010-08-17, S/N 2219, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Dwight Lohr Baby Ace - Registry model: [Baby Ace Home Built HOME BUILT](https://openairdocs.org/model/baby-ace-home-built-home-built) (registry code 00301GZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2219 - Airframe hours: 1345.7 - Engines: Continental A-75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 15, 2010 - Departed: 03NC, Carolina Beach, NC - Destination: 03NC, Carolina Beach, NC - Airport: 03NC, Pilots Ridge Airport, runway 27, 2,750 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 10, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 300 total, 4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: ILM, 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 20100613037039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100613037039A), Jun 13, 2010: Baby Ace Ho HOME BUILT, Wilmington, NC, Destroyed. Aircraft touched down on runway. Pilot applied power to perform a "go around". The aircraft began a left turn and hit the top of a tree with the left wing… ## Other investigations on N39D (1) 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 MIA77DLD08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DLD08), Oct 30, 1976: Baby Ace D (N39D), Deland, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76309. 1.4 MB in all. - Witness Statement (item 1, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Report (item 2, .PDF, 575 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=New%20Hanover%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Inspector's Report (item 3, .PDF, 416 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334349&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%27s%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum Regarding Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 4, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20Regarding%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photograph of Main Wreckage (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 344 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA)-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.