# NTSB ERA13LA346: Fpna A-22 Valor, N912FP, Wurtsboro, NY, July 30, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 2013, 16:32 local (20:32 UTC) - Place: Wurtsboro, NY - Coordinates: 41.603054, -74.538612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6031&lon=-74.5386&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 August 7, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87643 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA346 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87643/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87643 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA346 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to comply with the manufacturer’s limitations and guidance regarding flaperons usage at low altitude and in adverse wind conditions, which resulted in an in-flight loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/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: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0600044), [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: [Fpna A-22 VALOR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600044), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he took off from the surface of the lake in the light-sport floatplane into a 9-knot wind. Once the airplane climbed above the treetops, the pilot initiated a left turn and retracted the flaperons "simultaneously." At that time, the control wheel rotated left, and the pilot was unable to return the wheel to the "neutral" position. The airplane continued in a descending left turn and collided with trees and terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and the tail section. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The Pilot Operating Handbook states that flaperons extension are not recommended in a crosswind of 9 or more knots and that the airplane should be at an altitude of 500 feet after takeoff before flaperon retraction. ## Factual narrative According to the airplane's Pilot Operating Handbook, Section 6.11 Short Field Takeoff and Landing Procedures included the following, "Note: With a headwind of 18 mph / 15 kts or more, or crosswinds greater than 9 mph / 8kts, extending of flaperons is not recommended… If used, caution must be used to insure there is no cross wind in excess of 9 kts… In all cases when using flaperons the controls will have a heavy nose-down pressure, which is normal, and this cannot be trimmed out. This heavy nose-down pressure is caused by the change in the center of pressure while using flaperons. NOTE: Seek adequate instruction in the use of flaperons and their characteristics. Flaperons are different than flaps." The Pilot Operating Handbook guidance for flaperons further states, "At an altitude of about 500 ft / 152 meters retract the flaperons, maintaining the takeoff power of the engine." According to FAA and maintenance records, the airplane was manufactured in December 2010. Its most recent 100-hour inspection was completed July 6, 2012, at 160.8 total aircraft hours. On July 30, 2013, at 1632 eastern daylight time, a light sport A-22 Valor floatplane, N912FP, was substantially damaged during collision with trees after a loss of control after takeoff from Mastens Lake, Wurtsboro, New York. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he had conducted three takeoffs and landings on a neighboring lake, and then completed a landing to Mastens Lake. He explained that the airplane was equipped with a "flaperon" system, and that he deployed "10 degrees" of flaps for the takeoff to the southwest. The pilot stated that there was a "nice breeze blowing" and that the airplane became airborne "quickly." Once the airplane climbed above the treetops, the pilot initiated a turn to the left and retracted the flaperons "simultaneously." At that time, the control wheel rotated to the left, and the pilot said he was unable to return the wheel to the "neutral" position. The airplane continued in a descending left turn and collided with trees and terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and the tail section. There was no fire. At 1655, the weather reported at Sullivan County International Airport (MSV), 12 miles northwest of Mastens Lake, included winds from 260 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, single-engine sea, and instrument airplane. He operated the airplane as a sport pilot. The pilot reported 2,000 total hours of flight experience, 60 hours of which were in the accident airplane make and model. On August 29, 2013, the airplane was examined by an FAA inspector. According to the inspector, flight control continuitywas established, and the flight controls operated smoothly with no binding noted. No abnormalities or deficiencies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N912FP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N912FP-2018-02-02), registration cancelled 2018-02-02, S/N H035, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FPNA LLC A-22 VALOR - Registry model: [Fpna A-22 VALOR](https://openairdocs.org/model/fpna-a-22-valor) (registry code 0600044) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: H035 - Airframe hours: 161 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert N. Pullman - Registered owner: Robert N. Pullman - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 2012 - Departed: Wurtsboro, NY - Destination: Wurtsboro, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,000 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: MSV, 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). - [Accident 20130730017099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130730017099A), Jul 30, 2013: Fpna LLC A-22 VALOR, Wurtsboro, NY, Substantial damage. On initial climb out from lake masten, pilot retracted flaperons while making a slight left turn. Based on pilots description of events it appears the aircraft… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 6, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87643. 15.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (Amended) (item 2, .PDF, 7.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(Amended)-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record- Pilot Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-%20Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record- Passenger Interview Summary (item 4, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-%20Passenger%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector’s Wreckage Inspection Statement (item 5, .PDF, 598 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%E2%80%99s%20Wreckage%20Inspection%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Record- 100 Hour Inspection (item 6, .PDF, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Record-%20100%20Hour%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF - KMSV Metars (item 7, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=KMSV%20Metars-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – View of Main Wreckage As Found (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20As%20Found%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – View of Main Wreckage From Front (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Front%20(Photo%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. --- 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.