# NTSB ERA12CA094: Nuse George F1H Rocket, N295JS, Caroleen, NC, December 2, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 1, 2011, 19:45 local (Dec 2, 2011, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Caroleen, NC - Coordinates: 35.289165, -81.785003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2892&lon=-81.7850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82440 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82440/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82440 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA094 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain directional control during takeoff at night due to his distraction with a dropped flashlight, and he delayed his decision to abort the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/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: [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The tailwheel-equipped experimental amateur-built airplane was departing from a turf runway at night. The pilot reported that he observed two deer crossing the runway and swerved to avoid them. At that time, a flashlight fell from the top of the instrument panel to the floor of the cockpit. The pilot looked down to retrieve the flashlight and did not realize that the airplane had veered off the runway. He subsequently noticed that the airplane did not feel right, looked up, and observed that the airplane was approaching the tree line. The pilot reduced the engine power to idle and applied brakes; however, the airplane struck trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The tail-wheel equipped experimental amateur-built airplane was departing from a turf runway at night. The pilot reported that he observed two deer crossing the runway and swerved to avoid them. At that time, a flashlight fell from the top of the instrument panel to the floor of the cockpit. The pilot looked down to retrieve the flashlight and did not realize that the airplane had veered off the runway. He subsequently noticed that the airplane did not feel right, looked up, and observed an approaching tree line. The pilot reduced the engine power to idle and applied brakes; however, the airplane struck trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: N295JS (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: NUSE GEORGE F1H ROCKET - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 352 - Airframe hours: 146 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Supair, LLC - Registered owner: Supair, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 15, 2010 - Departed: 8NC2, Caroleen, NC - Destination: IPJ, Lincolnton, NC - Airport: 8NC2, Summey, runway 14, 2,500 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2010; seat: front; flight hours: 1,800 total, 200 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 190° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: GSP, 32 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 20111201028739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111201028739A), Dec 1, 2011: Nuse George F1H ROCKET, Caroleen, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he was departing runway 14 at Summey Airpark (8NC2) at 2000 hrs on 12/1/11. At the beginning of his take off roll, he spotted a deer crossing the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82440. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Memorandum (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Memorandum%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1 – Left side of airplane as view after recovery from the accident site (Provided by FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360946&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20side%20of%20airplane%20as%20view%20after%20recovery%20from%20the%20accident%20site%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)%20-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.