ERA14LA302

NTSB accident investigation · Bailey Robert Moyes Dragonfly · Melfa, VA · June 16, 2014

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
June 16, 2014, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
Place
Melfa, VA
Injuries
1 minor, 1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N286ABailey Robert Moyes Dragonfly
Defining event
Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report January 12, 2015
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Eastern Region Aviation
FAA report
20140616010029A
Case key
89479

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain roll control during the initial takeoff and his decision to take off with only partial power applied.

Findings · 2

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot reported that he initiated the takeoff and that, as soon as the airplane lifted off, it banked sharply left and then impacted the edge of the runway in a "slightly nose-down, left banking attitude." Opposite flight control inputs had no effect. Wind conditions were variable at less than 4 knots. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. An attachment tube for the right aileron was found broken, and an examination of the tube revealed evidence of overstress, likely as a result of the crash. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the passenger did not have hearing protection with her, so the pilot initiated the takeoff with about 2/3 of power applied.

Factual narrative

On June 16, 2014, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Bailey Moyes Dragonfly, N286A, collided with terrain after a loss of aircraft control during takeoff at Melfa, Virginia (MFV). The commercial pilot was not injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the following. He was preparing to depart with a passenger to observe upper air conditions prior to commencing glider operations. After performing engine checks, he initiated the takeoff roll on runway 3. As soon as the airplane lifted off, it banked sharply to the left and impacted the edge of the runway "slightly nose-down, left banking attitude." Opposite flight control inputs had no effect. He reported that wind conditions were variable at less than 4 knots. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He confirmed structural damage to the right wing and fuselage. There were scrapes on the surfaces of the left wing. An attachment tube for the right aileron was broken, and the inspector retained the section that did not remain attached to the aileron. The inspector reported that the passenger did not have hearing protection with her, so the pilot initiated the takeoff with about 2/3 of full power applied. Both broken aileron tube sections were subsequently examined by the NTSB investigator-in-charge. The fracture surfaces showed no evidence of corrosion or fatigue. The tube was bent at the location of the fracture with signatures of overstress. The fracture surface was clean with 45-degree shear lips present. The pilot later submitted the required NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, and reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure associated with the accident.

Aircraft

Registration
N286A
Reported as
Bailey Robert Moyes Dragonfly
Category
Airplane
Serial number
B025
Built
2000
Airframe hours
2,112
Engine
Rotax 912U, 80 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
William McCarter
Registered owner
Shore Aviation
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · April 24, 2014
Departed
MFV · Melfa, VA
Destination
MFV · Melfa, VA
Airport
MFV · Accomack County Airport, runway 03, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
56
Injuries
None
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
May 13, 2014
Seat
Front
Flight hours
1,904 total · 100 in the last 90 days · 40 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
77 °F, dew point 66 °F
Altimeter
30.15 inHg
Observed at
MFV

Docket · 6

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2014, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 8.3 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.