# NTSB ERA11LA228: Hrosik Gene Aventura II, N5842, Crescent City, FL, March 29, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 2011, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Crescent City, FL
- Coordinates: 29.472499, -81.568054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4725&lon=-81.5681&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78789/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78789
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA228

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climb after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.

## 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: [Hrosik Gene AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05621C1), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hrosik Gene AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05621C1), [All aircraft, 1,386 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.

- [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Hrosik Gene AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05621C1), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hrosik Gene AVENTURA II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05621C1), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he conducted the preflight, engine start, taxi, and takeoff, with no anomalies noted. The pilot described a full-power takeoff at 5,800 rpm and a rotation speed of 48 mph, and then he lowered the nose of the airplane to climb out at 60 mph. As the airplane reached treetop height, the left wing dipped due to turbulence over the trees, and the pilot perceived a loss of engine power. The pilot said he again lowered the nose to gain airspeed, but the airplane nosed over and struck trees, the ground, and a fence. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies. There was no checklist for the airplane, no placarded V-speeds in the cockpit, and no color-coded airspeed range markings on the airspeed indicator. According to the airplane kit’s manufacturer, the airplane’s rotation speed was 60 mph and the standard climb speed was 65 mph. The stall speed for the airplane was approximately 44 mph with the flaps retracted, depending on the airplane’s weight and the builders' modifications.

## Factual narrative

On March 29, 2011, about 1630 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Hrosik Aventura II, N5842, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain after takeoff from Thunderbird Airpark (2FA5), Crescent City, Florida. The certificated sport pilot sustained a minor injury. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed 2FA5, and was destined for Gator Airfield (3FD4), Minneola, Florida. The positioning flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said the purpose of the flight was to position the amphibious airplane at the Sun and Fun fly-in so that it could be offered for auction. He stated that during preflight, engine start, taxi, and takeoff, “everything checked out fine.” The pilot described a full-power takeoff at 5,800 rpm, his rotation speed as 48 mph, and then he “lowered the nose to climb out at 60 mph.” As the airplane reached treetop height, the left wing dipped due to turbulence over the trees, and he perceived a loss of engine power. The pilot said he “put the elevator down” to gain airspeed, but the airplane “nosed over” and struck trees, the ground, and a fence. After the accident, the pilot was unable to stop the engine, as it continued to run. He described the engine running roughly at low rpm, while a witness said the engine ran at a “high power setting” for 2 to 3 minutes after the accident, and before the pilot was able to shut it down. The pilot held a sport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and sea. He reported 2,000 total hours of flight experience, 25 hours of which was in the accident airplane make and model. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies. A review of the maintenance records revealed that the most recent condition inspection was completed March 21, 2011, and the airplane had flown about 6 hours since the previous inspection, which was 2 years prior. According to the FAA inspector, there was no checklist for the airplane, no placarded V-speeds in the cockpit, and no color-coded airspeed range markings on the airspeed indicator. According to the airplane kit manufacturer, the airplane "wants to fly" at 52 mph, rotation speed is 60 mph, and the standard climb speed is 65 mph. He said, "We hold it on the runway until 55-60 depending on the loading and OAT (outside air temperature) or [pressure altitude]." The stall speed for the airplane was approximately 44 mph with the flaps retracted, depending on aircraft weight and builders' modifications.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5842](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5842-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N 83A, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HROSIK GENE AVENTURA II
- Registry model: [Hrosik Gene AVENTURA II](https://openairdocs.org/model/hrosik-gene-aventura-ii) (registry code 05621C1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 83A
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: ROTAX SEE BOMBADIER 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, March 21, 2011
- Departed: 2FA5, Crescent City, FL
- Destination: LAL, Lakeland, FL
- Airport: 2FA5, Thunderbird Air Park

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: XFL, 19 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 20110329007369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110329007369A), Mar 29, 2011: Hrosik Gene AVENTURA II, Crescent City, FL, Substantial damage. On March 29, 2011 at approximately 1600 EDT an experimental amateur built aircraft Hrosik Gene Aventura II, N5842, registered to [privacy data omitted] and…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78789. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 654 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346578&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Manufacturer Performance Specifications (item 4, .PDF, 911 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Manufacturer%20Performance%20Specifications-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 5, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: View of Instrument Panel (item 6, .PDF, 803 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Instrument%20Panel-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.

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