# NTSB ERA12CA040: Engineering & Research 415-C, N3760H, Mebane, NC, October 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 16, 2011, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Mebane, NC - Coordinates: 36.053054, -79.322776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0531&lon=-79.3228&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82103 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82103/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82103 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified; cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/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: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner stated that, as he began to taxi the airplane, the wind shifted. During takeoff, the airplane reached rotation speed at the midpoint of the runway, but at rotation the airplane would not climb, and the pilot noticed a loss of airspeed but no loss of engine power. Suspecting a shift in wind direction, the pilot aborted the takeoff; however, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway and struck a ditch and an embankment, damaging the nose. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident. He also reported that the airplane's takeoff weight was 23 pounds below its maximum allowable gross weight. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner stated that prior to departing the grass strip oriented 140 degrees; the reported wind was from 250 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 18 knots. He also reported that the airplane's takeoff weight was 23 pounds below its maximum allowable gross weight. The airplane reached rotation speed at the midpoint of the runway, but at rotation the airplane would not climb, and the pilot noticed a loss of airspeed but no loss of engine power. The pilot aborted the takeoff, but the airplane overran the departure end and struck a ditch and an embankment. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical deficiencies with his airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3760H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3760H-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 4385, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH 415-C - Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-c) (registry code 0420302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4385 - Airframe hours: 1495 - Engines: CONT MOTOR A&C75 SERIES 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 2011, 21 hours before - Departed: 7NC6, Mebane, NC - Destination: NC81, Apex, NC - Airport: 7NC6, Kimrey Airport, runway 13, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review February 14, 2011; flight hours: 4,000 total, 155 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: BUY, 7 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 20111016023669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111016023669A), Oct 16, 2011: Engineering & Research 415-C, Mebane, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted a downwind takeoff on runway 14 with reported winds from rdu AWOS of 250/9 gust 18. Pilot aborted takeoff, lost control of aircraft, overshot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82103. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: View of Wreckage after Recovery (item 3, .PDF, 992 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20after%20Recovery-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Profile View of Wreckage after Recovery (item 4, .PDF, 794 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Profile%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20after%20Recovery-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.