# NTSB ERA11CA035: Boeing PT17, N55464, Fayetteville, WV, October 17, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 17, 2010, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Fayetteville, WV - Coordinates: 38.022777, -81.118614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0228&lon=-81.1186&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77658 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77658/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77658 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA035 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,971 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 9,310 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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,659 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 10,153 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll the airplane veered to the right. The pilot over compensated with rudder application and the airplane impacted a runway light. He reduced engine power in an attempt to regain control and subsequently reapplied engine power in an effort to clear a fence at the end of the runway and land the airplane in a grass area beyond the fence. During the landing, the airplane impacted a pile of dirt, resulting in substantial damage to the bottom left wing. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the airplane "went off to the right" as he applied power to take off from the 2,010-foot-long by 20-foot-wide asphalt runway. The pilot stated that he "overcorrected" with rudder, the airplane impacted a runway light, and he reduced engine power in an attempt to regain control. The pilot then re-applied engine power to clear a fence at the end of the runway and land the airplane in a grass area beyond the fence. During the landing, the airplane impacted a pile of dirt, resulting in substantial damage to the bottom left wing. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55464](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55464), registered now, S/N 75-272 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING PT17 - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-272 - Airframe hours: 6769 - Engines: Continental Series 220 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Carl Bailey - Registered owner: Richard W Kappler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 2010 - Departed: WV59, Fayetteville, WV - Destination: WV59, Fayetteville, WV - Airport: WV59, Fayette Airport, runway 21, 2,010 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,700 total, 110 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: BKW, 14 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 20101017051059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101017051059A), Oct 17, 2010: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Fayetteville, WV, Substantial damage. During takeoff the pilot lost control of the aircraft and aborted the takeoff. The pilot then reinitiated the takeoff; ran out of runway and aborted once more.… ## Other investigations on N55464 (2) 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 ERA25LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA047), Nov 18, 2024: Boeing A75N1(PT17) (N55464), Huntington, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to utilize carburetor heat while operating the engine at low power and in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice, which resulted in a total loss of engine power… - [NTSB ATL92LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA127), Jun 20, 1992: Boeing A75N1 (N55464), Dunn, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUARE VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SEE AND AVOID THE 8 FOOT HIGH POLE ADJACENT TO THE LANDING STRIP. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77658. 976 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 257 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo - Damage to Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339319&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Damage%20to%20Wing%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.