# NTSB ERA12CA551: Holloman L B/Holloman E M Sonex, N484PC, Chapmansboro, TN, September 6, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 6, 2012, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Chapmansboro, TN
- Coordinates: 36.321945, -87.150558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3219&lon=-87.1506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA551
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84964/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84964
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA551

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff initial climb.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Holloman L B/Holloman E M SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05614KD), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: recent experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Holloman L B/Holloman E M SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md?model=05614KD), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Holloman L B/Holloman E M SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05614KD), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Holloman L B/Holloman E M SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05614KD), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Holloman L B/Holloman E M SONEX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05614KD), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N484PC-2013-01-14), registration cancelled 2013-01-14, S/N 199, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOLLOMAN L B/HOLLOMAN E M SONEX
- Registry model: [Holloman L B/Holloman E M SONEX](https://openairdocs.org/model/holloman-l-b-holloman-e-m-sonex) (registry code 05614KD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 199
- Airframe hours: 860
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; 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

## 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 20120906020499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120906020499A), Sep 6, 2012: Holloman L B/Holloman E M SONEX, Chapmansboro, TN, Destroyed. Description:mishap aircraft was departing home (private grass) airport(TN77) to the south. At or near rotation airspeed, aircraft developed slight rolling…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84964. 12.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Follow-Up Conversation with Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Follow-Up%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA (item 4, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377535&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Local A&P IA (item 5, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377537&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Local%20A%26P%20IA-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Weather (item 6, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Manufacturer Holloman Sonex (item 7, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Manufacturer%20Holloman%20Sonex-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: Picture of Airplane at Accident Site - Courtesy of FAA (item 8, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Picture%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Picture of Airplane Wing - Courtesy of FAA (item 9, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Picture%20of%20Airplane%20Wing%20-%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.

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