- Date
- September 6, 2012, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place
- Chapmansboro, TN
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N484PCHolloman L B/Holloman E M Sonex
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 27, 2013
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties
- FAA/FSDO
- FAA report
- 20120906020499A
- Case key
- 84964
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff initial climb.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern; he had not flown the airplane for 6 months. Prior to initiating the departure, the pilot confirmed that the flight control and flap systems were operating normally. Just after takeoff, the airplane banked "hard" to the left, and the pilot applied full right rudder and aileron control inputs to correct. The pilot reduced engine power and leveled the wings, and the airplane subsequently impacted trees. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to a local weather observation facility, wind was reported as calm at the time of the accident.
Factual narrative
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. Prior to initiating his departure, he confirmed the flight control and flap systems were operating normally. Just after takeoff, the airplane banked "hard" to the left, and the pilot applied full right rudder and aileron control inputs to correct. The pilot reduced engine power and leveled the wings, and the airplane subsequently impacted trees. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to a local weather observation facility, winds were reported as calm at the time of the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N484PC
- Reported as
- Holloman L B/Holloman E M Sonex
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 199
- Airframe hours
- 860
- Engine
- Jabiru 3300, 120 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Jerry Travis
- Registered owner
- Jerry Travis
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · June 1, 2011 · 4 hours before
- Departed
- TN77 · Chapmansboro, TN
- Destination
- TN77 · Chapmansboro, TN
- Airport
- TN77 · Whifferdill Airport, runway 20, 3,200 × 200 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 73
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Sport Pilot
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Sport pilot, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- December 6, 2006
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,167 total · 2 in this make and model · 1,046 as pilot in command · 0 in the last 90 days · 0 in the last 30 days · 0 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.92 inHg
- Observed at
- KCKV, 22 nm away
Docket · 9
The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2012, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 12.1 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.