# NTSB ERA13CA277: Boswell John J AIR CAM 912S, N220AC, West Palm Beach, FL, May 25, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2013, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: West Palm Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.840833, -80.219444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8408&lon=-80.2194&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87139 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87139/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87139 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA277 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during 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: [Boswell John J AIR CAM 912S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056102I), [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: [Boswell John J AIR CAM 912S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056102I), [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. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Boswell John J AIR CAM 912S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056102I), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Boswell John J AIR CAM 912S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056102I), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Boswell John J AIR CAM 912S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=056102I), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll on a runway 8L, a 3,679-foot by 75-foot, turf runway, as full power was applied, the airplane veered to the left off the runway, and the pilot attempted to arrest the turn by applying full right rudder. After liftoff, when the airplane was about 5 feet above ground level, the airplane turned to the right in response to the rudder input, and settled back onto the runway. The airplane then impacted the runway in a level right turn, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at an airport 12 miles to the southeast of the accident location were variable from 040 degrees at 11 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll on a runway 08L, a 3,679-foot by 75-foot, turf runway, as full power was applied, the airplane veered to the left off the runway, and the pilot attempted to arrest the turn by applying full right rudder. After liftoff, when the airplane was about 5 feet above ground level, the airplane in response to the rudder input then turned to the right, and settled back onto the runway. The airplane then impacted the runway in a level right turn, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The winds reported at an airport 12 miles to the southeast of the accident location were variable from 040 degrees at 11 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N220AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N220AC), registered now, S/N AC-113, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOSWELL JOHN J AIR CAM 912S - Registry model: [Boswell John J AIR CAM 912S](https://openairdocs.org/model/boswell-john-j-air-cam-912s) (registry code 056102I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AC-113 - Airframe hours: 264 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating; Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Workman - Registered owner: Barrels Of Fun Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 2013 - Departed: F45, West Palm Beach, FL - Destination: SUA, Stuart, FL - Airport: F45, North Palm Beach County Airpor, runway 08L, 3,679 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 4, 2012; seat: rear; flight hours: 161 total, 21 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: PBI, 12 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). - [Incident 20130525010139I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130525010139I), May 25, 2013: Boswell John J AIR CAM 912S, Palm Beach, FL, Minor damage. Airman attend takeoff of north county airport (F45) from a grass runway an after takeoff loss partial directional control and land of remaining runway follow a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87139. 674 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 632 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394796&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - PBI Weather Observations (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394798&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PBI%20Weather%20Observations-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.