# NTSB ERA11CA002: Fleet 16B, N8742, Lake City, SC, October 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2010, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Lake City, SC - Coordinates: 33.852222, -79.767501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8522&lon=-79.7675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77475 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77475/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77475 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA002 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper use of the brakes while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fleet FLEET 16B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=3480502), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Fleet FLEET 16B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=3480502), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Fleet FLEET 16B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3480502), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was back taxiing on the runway when the tailwind and runway slope allowed the airplane to gain more than normal taxi speed. As the pilot realized the airplane was approaching the end of the runway, he began to apply brake pressure to avoid running off the end of the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, substantially damaging the rudder. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he was back taxing on runway 19 to depart on runway 1. The pilot stated that the tailwind and runway slope "apparently allowed the airplane to gain more than normal taxi speed." As the pilot realized the airplane was approaching the end of the runway, he began to apply brake pressure to "avoid running off the end of the runway." The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, substantially damaging the rudder. A post accident inspection completed by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed no mechanical anomalies. The winds reported at an airport 9 miles to the south, at the time of the accident, were from 010 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8742](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8742), registered now, S/N 491, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLEET 16B (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Fleet FLEET 16B](https://openairdocs.org/model/fleet-fleet-16b) (registry code 3480502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner B5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-b5-series) (registry code 37501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 491 - Engines: Kinner R-540-1 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wehman Ernest A Jr - Registered owner: Wehman Ernest A Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 5, 2010 - Departed: 51J, Lake City, SC - Destination: 51J, Lake City, SC - Airport: 51J, Lake City Municipal Airport, runway 19, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 13, 2010; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,520 total, 1,410 in this make and model, 1,520 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: CKI, 9 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 20101001048159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101001048159A), Oct 1, 2010: Fleet FLEET 16B, Lake City, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot was back taxiing for departure on runway O1 at 51J, Lake City, SC. He stated he was distracted and let the aircraft gain speed. He stated he could not… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 16, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77475. 608 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 424 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record-Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Interview (item 3, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Interview-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Overview of Damage (courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Overview%20of%20Damage%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Damage to Rudder (courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Damage%20to%20Rudder%20(courtesy%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.