# NTSB ERA14CA408: Day William L Minicoupe, N853WD, Baltimore, MD, August 16, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 16, 2014, 09:10 local (13:10 UTC) - Place: Baltimore, MD - Coordinates: 39.321945, -76.408058 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3219&lon=-76.4081&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 89955 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA408 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89955/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89955 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA408 ## Probable cause The pilot/owner/builder's improper weight and balance calculations, which rendered the airplane uncontrollable in the pitch axis. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: cG/weight distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot/owner/builder of the airplane, he conducted taxi tests, and then a final engine run-up and flight control check prior to takeoff on the airplane's second flight. After rotation, the airplane reached approximately 3 feet above the runway when the nose dropped, and application of full up elevator had no effect. The airplane struck the runway nose first, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. This was the identical outcome as the first flight several months prior. An FAA inspector estimated that the builder had added about 63 pounds with his modifications to the original airplane plans. The pilot performed the weight and balance on the airplane using bathroom scales and stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. His NTSB Form 6120.1 Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation was: "Re-weigh aircraft with calibrated scales to determine weight and balance. Fix apparent nose heavy aircraft with appropriate movement of the battery or additional weight in the tail section." ## Factual narrative According to the pilot/owner/builder of the airplane, he conducted taxi tests, and then a final engine run-up and flight control check prior to takeoff on the airplane's second flight. After rotation, the airplane reached approximately 3 feet above the runway when the nose dropped, and application of full up elevator had no effect. The airplane struck the runway nose first, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. This was the identical outcome as the first flight several months prior. An FAA inspector estimated that the builder had added about 63 pounds with his modifications to the original airplane plans. The pilot performed the weight and balance on the airplane using bathroom scales and stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. His NTSB Form 6120.1 Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation was: "Re-weigh aircraft with calibrated scales to determine weight and balance. Fix apparent nose heavy aircraft with appropriate movement of the battery or additional weight in the tail section." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N853WD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N853WD-2016-04-25), registration cancelled 2016-04-25, S/N WD00001, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAY WILLIAM L MINICOUPE - Registry model: [Day William L MINICOUPE](https://openairdocs.org/model/day-william-l-minicoupe) (registry code 05619FV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: WD00001 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 1 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Day William L - Registered owner: Day William L - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 29, 2013, 1 hours before - Departed: MTN, Baltimore, MD - Destination: MTN, Baltimore, MD - Airport: MTN, Martin State, runway 33, 6,997 × 180 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 363 total, 1 in this make and model, 272 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: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MTN ## 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 20140816016929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140816016929A), Aug 16, 2014: Day William L MINICOUPE, Middle River, MD, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was going to make a first flight since his November 2013 nose gear collapse. The aircraft got about 3 ft in the air when the nose came… ## Other investigations on N853WD (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA16CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA088), Dec 20, 2015: Day William L Minicoupe (N853WD), Middle River, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's incorrect installation of the rudder horn and failure to properly inspect the installation, which led to a loss of directional control during takeoff. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89955. 1.5 MB in all. - NTSB Pilot 6120 Form (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Pilot%206120%20Form%20-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record – FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20FAA%20Inspector%20-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417064&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%20-Redacted.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.