# NTSB ERA14CA258: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 Eaglet, N115TE, Stevensville, MD, May 20, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2014, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Stevensville, MD - Coordinates: 38.976387, -76.330001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9764&lon=-76.3300&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89271 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89271/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89271 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA258 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. ## 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: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/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: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was on a solo training flight and was attempting to perform a simulated soft-field takeoff. While accelerating, the pilot "lost directional control due to improper use of [the rudder]." The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway, crossed a parallel taxiway, and collided with an embankment, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "…apply more right rudder immediately upon acceleration instead of trying to ease into it." ## Factual narrative The student pilot was on a solo training flight and was attempting to perform a simulated soft-field takeoff. While accelerating, the pilot "lost directional control due to improper use of [the rudder]." The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway, crossed a parallel taxiway, and collided with an embankment, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "…apply more right rudder immediately upon acceleration instead of trying to ease into it." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N115TE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N115TE-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N 1215, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P92 EAGLET - Registry model: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET](https://openairdocs.org/model/costruzioni-aeronautiche-tecna-p92-eaglet) (registry code 0600045) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1215 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 2289 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Adventures In Flight II LLC - Registered owner: Adventures In Flight II LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 2014, 69 hours before - Departed: W29, Stevensville, MD - Destination: W29, Stevensville, MD - Airport: W29, Bay Bridge, runway 11, 2,714 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 58; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 63 total, 19 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KNAK, 6 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 20140520007889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140520007889A), May 20, 2014: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, Stevensville, MD, Substantial damage. Aircraft was attempting to depart W29 on runway 11. The student pilot stated he was trying to practice a soft field take off. The pilot lost directional… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89271. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413609&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Airplane from Left (Photo Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20from%20Left%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Airplane from Front (Photo Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20from%20Front%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.