# NTSB ERA11CA432: Mcfarland WM H Rans S6S, N434WM, Huntington, WV, July 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2011, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Huntington, WV - Coordinates: 38.455833, -82.30722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4558&lon=-82.3072&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81301 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA432 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81301/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81301 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA432 ## Probable cause The failure of both pilots to maintain proper pitch control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was both pilots' inexperience in the airplane make/model. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcfarland WM H RANS S6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=0561018), [All aircraft, 528 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcfarland WM H RANS S6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=0561018), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcfarland WM H RANS S6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=0561018), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcfarland WM H RANS S6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0561018), [All aircraft, 1,387 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcfarland WM H RANS S6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0561018), [All aircraft, 1,387 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcfarland WM H RANS S6S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0561018), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the initial portion of a training flight in the tailwheel-equipped amateur-built airplane, the flight instructor demonstrated two takeoffs and landings to the pilot. The pilot then assumed the controls and began the takeoff roll. The flight instructor directed the pilot to rotate the tail of the airplane into the air by increasing nose down pitch. According to the flight instructor, the pilot did not add enough forward pressure and the airplane seemed like it was still in a nose high attitude. The flight instructor then assisted the pilot by pushing forward on the control stick to what looked like a level attitude. The propeller struck the ground and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail and right wing. Both pilots noted no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Neither pilot had any previous experience performing takeoffs or landings in the accident airplane make and model. ## Factual narrative During the initial portion of a training flight in the tailwheel-equipped amateur-built airplane, the flight instructor demonstrated two takeoffs and landings to the pilot. The pilot then assumed the controls and began the takeoff roll. The flight instructor directed the pilot to rotate the tail of the airplane into the air by increasing nose down pitch; according to the flight instructor, the pilot did not add enough forward pressure and the airplane seemed like it was still in a nose high attitude. The flight instructor then assisted the pilot by pushing forward on the control stick to what looked like a level attitude. The propeller struck the ground and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail and right wing. Both pilots noted no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Neither pilot had any previous experience performing takeoffs or landings in the accident airplane make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N434WM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N434WM), registered now, S/N 07001379S (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCFARLAND WM H RANS S6S - Registry model: [Mcfarland WM H RANS S6S](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcfarland-wm-h-rans-s6s) (registry code 0561018) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 07001379S - Airframe hours: 278 - Engines: ROTAX 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Paul E. Adams - Registered owner: Paul E. Adams - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 15, 2011 - Departed: I41, Huntington, WV - Destination: I41, Huntington, WV - Airport: I41, Robert Newlon Field Airport, runway 20, 2,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 61; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 7,400 total, 1 in this make and model, 6,900 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 73; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 332 total, 1 in this make and model, 272 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KHTS, 12 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 20110730016029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110730016029A), Jul 30, 2011: Mcfarland Wm H RANS S6S, Lesage, WV, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was instructing [privacy data omitted] during the takeoff departure roll. [privacy data omitted] Was at the controls during the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81301. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 604 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352189&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Flight Instructor Interview Summary (FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 420 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Interview%20Summary%20(FAA)-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352195&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary%20(FAA)-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photograph of Airplane Damage (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352000&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20of%20Airplane%20Damage%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.