# NTSB ERA14LA302: Bailey Robert Moyes Dragonfly, N286A, Melfa, VA, June 16, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 2014, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Melfa, VA
- Coordinates: 37.646945, -75.761108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6469&lon=-75.7611&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89479/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89479
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA302

## 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

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bailey Robert BAILEY-MOYES DRAGONF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05903N4), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bailey Robert BAILEY-MOYES DRAGONF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05903N4), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/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: [Bailey Robert BAILEY-MOYES DRAGONF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05903N4), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Bailey Robert BAILEY-MOYES DRAGONF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05903N4), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N286A), registered now, S/N B025, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BAILEY ROBERT MOYES DRAGONFLY
- Registry model: [Bailey Robert BAILEY-MOYES DRAGONF](https://openairdocs.org/model/bailey-robert-bailey-moyes-dragonf) (registry code 05903L2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: B025
- Year built: 2000
- Airframe hours: 2112
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; 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

## 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 20140616010029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140616010029A), Jun 16, 2014: Bailey Robert BAILEY-MOYES DRAGONF, Melfa, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft stalled on takeoff and impacted the ground nose down and right wing low.

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89479. 8.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418531&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Correspondence - FAA Inspector Statement with Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418532&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20with%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Wreckage From Front (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418533&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20From%20Front%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418534&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Broken Aileron Control Tube (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 927 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418535&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Broken%20Aileron%20Control%20Tube%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Aileron Tube Fracture Surface (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418536&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Aileron%20Tube%20Fracture%20Surface%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.

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