# NTSB ERA13CA417: Miller/Culpepper Christen Eagle II, N887AS, Blythe, GA, September 14, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 14, 2013, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Blythe, GA - Coordinates: 33.299167, -82.172775 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2992&lon=-82.1728&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88047 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA417 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88047/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88047 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA417 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05658WK), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05658WK), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05658WK), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05658WK), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05658WK), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=05658WK), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/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: [Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05658WK), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05658WK), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, there was about a 10 knot crosswind from the east while departing the airport to the south. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane drifted toward trees on the west side of the runway due to a left quartering tailwind. In addition, the airplane's climb performance decreased due to the tailwind. The pilot banked the airplane into the wind, the left wing "dropped," and the airplane stalled. The pilot made a forced landing and slid to a stop colliding with a tree and building structure. The airplane sustained substantial damage to left and right wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, there was about a 10 knot crosswind from the east while departing the airport to the south. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane drifted toward trees on the west side of the runway due to a left quartering tailwind. In addition, the airplane's climb performance decreased due to the tailwind. The pilot banked the airplane into the wind, the left wing "dropped," and the airplane stalled. The pilot made a forced landing and slid to a stop colliding with a tree and building structure. The airplane sustained substantial damage to left and right wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N887AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N887AS-2014-05-09), registration cancelled 2014-05-09, S/N 1, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MILLER/CULPEPPER CHRISTEN EAGLE II (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/miller-culpepper-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658WK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1 - Year built: 1990 - Airframe hours: 1193 - Engines: Lycoming L-19745-5 1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Nodorft Allen J - Registered owner: Nodorft Allen J - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2013, 5 hours before - Departed: 61GA, Blythe, GA - Destination: HQU, Thomson, GA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 61GA, Pea Patch Aerodrome, runway 18, 2,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 990 total, 253 in this make and model, 837 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: AGS, 19 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 20130914025739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130914025739A), Sep 14, 2013: Miller/Culpepper CHRISTEN EAGLE II, Blythe, GA, Substantial damage. On September 14, 2013 aircraft N887AS sustained damage while departing Pea Patch Aerodrome (61GA) in Blythe ga at 1445 local (18:45Z). This office was… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 16, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88047. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 977 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies-Inspector statement (item 2, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402878&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies-Inspector%20statement-Redacted.PDF - Reports from State Agencies-Richmond County Sheriff's incident report (item 3, .PDF, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402900&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20State%20Agencies-Richmond%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20incident%20report%20-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1-FAA photo-Overview of accident site (item 4, .PDF, 740 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-FAA%20photo-Overview%20of%20accident%20site-Master.PDF - Photo 2-FAA photo-Rightside of wreckage (item 5, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402880&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-FAA%20photo-Rightside%20of%20wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 3-FAA photo-Rearview of wreckage (item 6, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402881&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-FAA%20photo-Rearview%20of%20wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 4-FAA photo-Leftside view of wreckage (item 7, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402882&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-FAA%20photo-Leftside%20view%20of%20wreckage-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.