# NTSB ERA12CA013: Loehle Loehle P-40, N414L, Tullahoma, TN, October 3, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 3, 2011, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Tullahoma, TN - Coordinates: 35.380001, -86.246665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3800&lon=-86.2467&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 January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82011 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82011/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82011 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Loehle LOEHLE P-40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=05623NC), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Loehle LOEHLE P-40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=05623NC), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Loehle LOEHLE P-40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05623NC), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Loehle LOEHLE P-40, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05623NC), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after taking off and the landing gear left the ground, the airplane entered a bank of about 10 degrees to the left. The pilot initially assumed that the bank had been induced by a crosswind, but the bank continued to increase as the airplane's speed increased. The pilot then leveled the airplane about 75 feet above the ground and slowed to 50 mph in an attempt to evaluate the control issues. While applying full right control stick and full right rudder, the bank would not decrease, so the pilot attempted to perform a forced landing with the bank angle about 45 degrees. When the pilot decreased engine power, the airplane nose rose, and the airplane stalled and spun to the left. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the nose, cockpit, and left wing. No broken flight control cables were found during a postaccident examination; however, due to the extent of impact-related damage to the airplane, operation of the ailerons could not be verified. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot suggested that a precautionary/aborted landing should have been undertaken upon the first indication of control issues during the takeoff. The airplane's ballistic parachute system did not activate. ## Factual narrative Shortly after initiating the takeoff and just after the landing gear of the experimental airplane left the ground, the airplane banked about 10 degrees left. The pilot initially assumed the bank had been induced by a crosswind, but the bank continued to increase as the airplane's speed increased. The pilot then leveled the airplane about 75 feet above the ground and slowed to 50 mph in an attempt to evaluate the control issues. While applying full right control stick and full right rudder, the bank would not decrease, so the pilot attempted to perform a forced landing with the bank angle now reaching about 45 degrees. When the pilot decreased engine power the nose of the airplane rose, the airplane stalled, and then spun to the left. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the nose, cockpit, and left wing. The airplane was examined at the scene by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The inspector noted that the airplane's ballistic parachute system had not activated and he was not able to observe any broken flight control cables, but due to the extent of impact-related damage to the airplane, was unable to verify operation of the ailerons. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "Immediate precautionary/aborted landing should have been undertaken upon first indication of control issues on takeoff…" ## Aircraft - Registration: [N414L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N414L-2012-01-04), registration cancelled 2012-01-04, S/N P150968827WE-RG, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LOEHLE AIRCRAFT CORP LOEHLE P-40 - Registry model: [Loehle LOEHLE P-40](https://openairdocs.org/model/loehle-loehle-p-40) (registry code 05623NC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P150968827WE-RG - Airframe hours: 260 - Engines: Rotax 582UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 11, 2011 - Departed: THA, Tullahoma, TN - Destination: THA, Tullahoma, TN - Airport: THA, Tullahoma Regional Airport, runway 36, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 4,350 total, 125 in this make and model, 3,640 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: MQY, 40 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 20111003022749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111003022749A), Oct 3, 2011: Loehle Aircraft Corp LOEHLE P-40, Tullahoma, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was distracted by a perceived aileron problem. Upon takeoff from (tha) Tullahoma Tennessee, on runway 36, which is a 5002 foot runway, he… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82011. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 323 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Email Correspondence, FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356385&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Email%20Correspondence,%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - View of Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 812 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356389&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - View of Wreckage from Left (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20from%20Left%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - View of Wreckage from Forward (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 988 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356391&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20from%20Forward%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.