# NTSB ERA11CA440: Nelsen Lynn H Lightning, N13LN, Frostproof, FL, August 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 5, 2011, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Frostproof, FL - Coordinates: 27.750278, -81.555557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7503&lon=-81.5556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 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): 81403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA440 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81403/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81403 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA440 ## Probable cause The pilot's premature rotation during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelsen Lynn H LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05626OM), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Nelsen Lynn H LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=05626OM), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Nelsen Lynn H LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05626OM), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Nelsen Lynn H LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05626OM), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Nelsen Lynn H LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05626OM), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Nelsen Lynn H LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05626OM), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built airplane was departing from a turf runway. He reported that as he passed his normal rotation point on the runway, he rotated the airplane without verifying his airspeed, which resulted in the airplane becoming airborne prematurely. The airplane rotated, rolled to the left, impacted a light pole, and came to rest inverted. Substantial damage was sustained to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the experimental amateur-built Nelsen Lightning was departing from a turf runway. He reported that as he passed his normal rotation point on the runway, he rotated the airplane without verifying his airspeed, which resulted in the airplane becoming airborne prematurely. The airplane rotated, rolled to the left, impacted a light pole, and came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13LN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13LN-2011-09-08), registration cancelled 2011-09-08, S/N 60, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NELSEN LYNN H LIGHTNING - Registry model: [Nelsen Lynn H LIGHTNING](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelsen-lynn-h-lightning) (registry code 05626OM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 60 - Airframe hours: 311 - Engines: JABIRU 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 2011 - Departed: 52FL, Frostproof, FL - Destination: 52FL, Frostproof, FL - Airport: 52FL, Lake Clinch Airstrip, runway 36, 2,800 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 12, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 11,588 total, 300 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BOW, 16 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 20110805016909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110805016909A), Aug 5, 2011: Nelsen Lynn H LIGHTNING, Frostproof, FL, Substantial damage. On August 05, 2011, at approximately 9:45, aircraft N13LN was taking off from a paved shoulder parallel to the north/south sod runway at the Frostproof airport… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81403. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot/owner (item 1, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot%2Fowner-Redacted.PDF - Bartow Weather (item 2, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bartow%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo: Airplane At Rest in a Field (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352283&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20in%20a%20Field%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%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.