# NTSB ERA12CA129: Koth Larry Jabiru Calypso, N344MK, Mansfield, MA, December 30, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 30, 2011, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Mansfield, MA
- Coordinates: 41.993057, -71.191108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9931&lon=-71.1911&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82592/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82592
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA129

## Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s not closing the throttle upon landing and his improper adjustment of the airplane’s brakes.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=056268Z), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056268Z), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=056268Z), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=056268Z), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=056268Z), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056268Z), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056268Z), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056268Z), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot/owner was practicing takeoffs and landings in the recently certificated experimental amateur-built airplane. After completing an adjustment of the left wing to control a rolling tendency, as well as multiple adjustments to the hand-operated brakes, the pilot performed a short flight over the runway and landed about 400 feet beyond the point of takeoff. The airplane touched down about 55 knots airspeed, and the pilot applied the brakes. The airplane veered, did not slow, and departed the left side of the runway. The airplane continued about 900 feet after touchdown before it collided with terrain and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings. After the accident, the pilot could not recall if he had reduced the throttle upon landing. Examination of the cockpit revealed that the flight controls, engine controls, and the hand-operated brake control were of a nonstandard configuration, and all had matching red handles. It was also noted that application of the brakes required the pilot to release the control stick. Examination of the braking system revealed binding of the left brake caliper and disk, missing washers from the right brake caliper, distortion of the left and right inner lining plates over the piston of each brake assembly, and compression of the return springs. Other than the known wing and brake anomalies, the pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot/owner was practicing takeoffs and landings in the recently certificated experimental amateur-built airplane at the time of the accident. After completing an adjustment of the left wing to control a rolling tendency, as well as multiple adjustments to the hand-operated brakes, the pilot performed a short flight over the runway, and landed back about 400 feet beyond the point of takeoff. The airplane touched down about 55 knots airspeed, and the pilot applied the brakes. The airplane did not slow and departed the left side of the runway. The airplane continued approximately 900 feet after touchdown, before it collided with terrain, and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to the wings. After the accident, the pilot could not recall if he had reduced the throttle upon landing. Examination of the cockpit revealed that the flight controls, engine controls, and the hand-operated brake control were of a non-standard configuration, and all had matching red handles. It was also noted that application of the brakes required the pilot to release the control stick. Other than the known wing and brake anomalies, the pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N344MK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N344MK-2012-03-07), registration cancelled 2012-03-07, S/N 627, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KOTH LARRY JABIRU CALYPSO
- Registry model: [Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO](https://openairdocs.org/model/koth-larry-jabiru-calypso) (registry code 056268Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jabiru 2200](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-2200) (registry code 34800, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 627
- Engines: JABIRU 2200 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lafratta Paul M
- Registered owner: Lafratta Paul M
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 1B9, Mansfield, MA
- Destination: 1B9, Mansfield, MA
- Airport: 1B9, Mansfield Municipal Airport, runway 32, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2011; flight hours: 2,404 total, 4 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: TAN, 11 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 20111230029389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111230029389A), Dec 30, 2011: Koth Larry JABIRU CALYPSO, Mansfield, MA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he had made a series of short flights "in ground effect" on runway 32 for a flight check in reference to an adjustment to increase the…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82592. 8.7 MB in all.

- Record of Interview: Pilot On Scene (item 1, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview%3A%20Pilot%20On%20Scene-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Interview: Pilot (Post-Accident) (item 2, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview%3A%20Pilot%20(Post-Accident)-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Interview Summaries (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interview%20Summaries-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record: FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: View of Airplane Damage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Left Main Landing Gear Brake (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 526 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Left%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Brake%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: Right Main Landing Gear Brake (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Right%20Main%20Landing%20Gear%20Brake%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4: Cockpit Controls (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Cockpit%20Controls%20(Courtesy%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.

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