# NTSB ERA14LA305: Christen Industries A 1, N436C, Tampa, FL, June 22, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2014, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Tampa, FL - Coordinates: 28.013889, -82.345001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0139&lon=-82.3450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89506 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89506/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89506 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA305 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into the ground. ## 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: [Christen Industries A-1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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: [Christen Industries A-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Christen Industries A-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=221020X), [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: [Christen Industries A-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=221020X), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Witnesses reported seeing the airplane take off from a grassy area adjacent to the runway. Witness statements and a video revealed that, immediately after takeoff, the airplane entered a steep left turn about 30 ft above ground level. The airplane then turned about 270 degrees, with continuous engine noise, before descending nose down into the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not have his five-point harness buckled during the flight. Although the pilot's widow reported that the pilot probably crashed the airplane on purpose because they had been separated about 1 year and she had moved out of their residence 4 days before the accident, it could not be determined if the accident occurred as a result of an intentional act by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2014, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Christen Industries Inc. A-1 (Husky), N436C, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Tampa Executive Airport (VDF), Tampa, Florida. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned local flight. Two witnesses, who worked at the airport, were standing outside and watched the accident takeoff. They stated that the airplane departed on the grass adjacent to runway 23. Immediately after takeoff, about 30 feet above ground level, the airplane entered a steep left bank turn. The airplane then turned about 270 degrees, before the nose dropped and it impacted the ramp area left wing and nose low. One of the witnesses added that the engine noise was loud during the turn. She also captured a video of the accident takeoff, which was forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory, Washington, D.C. Review of the video confirmed the witness statements regarding the steep left bank and sound of continuous engine noise. The airplane came to rest upright on the tarmac. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the three wooden propeller blades had separated from the hub. The engine was partially separated from the airframe and canted right. Both wing outboard leading edges were impact damaged and the flaps were partially extended. The inspector was able to confirm flight control continuity from the elevator, rudder, and right aileron to the cockpit area. Left aileron continuity could not be confirmed due to impact damage. The inspector also noted that the pilot's five-point harness was intact and unbuckled. He confirmed with witnesses that the harness was not buckled when the pilot was recovered from the wreckage. The inspector added that when law enforcement notified the pilot's widow, she replied that the pilot had probably crashed on purpose as they had been separated for about 1 year and she moved out of their residence 4 days prior to the accident. Review of maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on December 28, 2013, at a total airframe and engine time of 1,250 hours. The engine had operated 817 hours since major overhaul at the time of the inspection. The pilot's logbook was not recovered. He reported 3,600 total hours of flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA second-class medical certificate, which was issued on March 27, 2013. An autopsy was performed on the pilot on June 23, 2014, by the State of Florida District 13 Medical Examiner's Office, Tampa, Florida. The cause of death was noted as due to blunt impact to the head and neck. Toxicological testing was performed on the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Science Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.The test results were negative for drugs, ethanol, and carbon monoxide. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N436C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N436C-2015-07-21), registration cancelled 2015-07-21, S/N 1063, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES INC A 1 - Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-C1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-c1f) (registry code 41573, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1063 - Year built: 1988 - Airframe hours: 1250 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Martin Ki - Registered owner: Martin Ki - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 2013 - Departed: VDF, Tampa, FL - Destination: VDF, Tampa, FL - Airport: VDF, Tampa Executive Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: none; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,600 total, 999,999 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: TPF, 10 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 20140622009709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140622009709A), Jun 22, 2014: Christen Industries Inc A-1, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. I watched the video (taken by an airport FBO employee) of the accident. The pilot took off from the grass parallel to rwy 23 at vdf. The aipplane remained… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89506. 1.3 MB in all. - Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 514 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418537&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Shelf Item - Witness Video (item 3, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418539&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Shelf%20Item%20-%20Witness%20Video-Master.PDF - Excerpt from Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Maintenance%20Records-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 5, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418541&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Excerpt from Police Report (item 6, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418542&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Police%20Report-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Toxicology Report (item 8, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicology%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of HCSO) (item 9, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20HCSO)-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.