# NTSB ERA11CA455: G-Dawg Just Acft Highlander, N376CG, Abingdon, VA, August 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 13, 2011, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Abingdon, VA - Coordinates: 36.687221, -82.033058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6872&lon=-82.0331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81503 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA455 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81503/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81503 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA455 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the aborted takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he positioned the airplane on runway 24 and increased engine power to begin the takeoff roll but subsequently aborted the takeoff when he noted that the wind was becoming stronger. He stated that the wind lifted the airplane sideways and off the left side of the runway, where the airplane impacted a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the empennage and wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. About the time of the accident, the recorded wind at the airport was from 350 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 30 knots with thunderstorms in the vicinity. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he positioned the airplane on runway 24 and increased engine power to begin the takeoff roll. The pilot then aborted the takeoff when he noted that the winds were becoming stronger. He stated that the wind lifted the airplane sideways and off the left side of the runway, where it impacted a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the empennage and wing spar. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. Recorded winds at the airport about the time of the accident were from 350 degrees at 18 knots with gusts to 30 knots, with thunderstorms in the vicinity. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N376CG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N376CG-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N JAESC0141 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: G-DAWG LLC JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER - Registry model: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/g-dawg-just-acft-highlander) (registry code 056270R) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JAESC0141 - Airframe hours: 1115 - Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: G-Dawg LLC - Registered owner: G-Dawg LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2011 - Departed: VJI, Abingdon, VA - Destination: VJI, Abingdon, VA - Airport: VJI, Virginia Highlands Airport, runway 24, 4,471 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 25, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 5,900 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,900 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 18 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: VJI ## 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 20110813021589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110813021589A), Aug 13, 2011: G-Dawg LLC JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, Abingdon, VA, Substantial damage. 08/13/2011 Abingdon Virginia Highlands Airport, VA (vji): N376CG, a Just Acft Highlander, during taxi/takeoff roll on runway 24 was pushed off the side of the… ## Other investigations on N376CG (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 ERA15LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA174), Mar 31, 2015: G-Dawg Just Acft Highlander (N376CG), Walhalla, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around in gusting tailwind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81503. 432 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 383 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - VJI METARs (item 2, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=VJI%20METARs-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.