# NTSB ERA14LA422: Ackland Jeffrey Dean SH 3R, N333AW, Columbus, GA, September 3, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2014, 12:01 local (16:01 UTC) - Place: Columbus, GA - Coordinates: 32.516387, -84.938888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5164&lon=-84.9389&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 90015 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA422 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90015/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90015 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA422 ## Probable cause The mechanic’s improper installation of the landing gear extend/retract switch, which resulted in the retraction of the landing gear during the aborted takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [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 maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was returning the airplane to his home base following an avionics installation. During the takeoff roll, about 80 knots, the canopy handle vibrated to the open position, and the canopy opened. As the pilot was rejecting the takeoff, the landing gear retracted. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane departed the runway; the left wing struck a taxiway sign, resulting in structural damage. Examination of the aircraft after the accident revealed that the landing gear extend/retract switch was installed upside-down in the newly-replaced instrument panel. The switch was in the "retract" position during preflight and takeoff; however, the safety squat switch on the landing gear prevented gear retraction while on the ground. Once weight was removed from the landing gear during the takeoff sequence, the switch commanded the landing gear to retract. The mechanic who installed the instrument panel did not perform a functional gear check (gear swing) prior to releasing the airplane to the owner. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2014, about 1201 eastern daylight time, an Ackland SH-3R (Glasair III), N333AW, collided with a taxiway sign following a rejected takeoff and landing gear retraction at Columbus, Georgia (CSG). The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The experimental, amateur-built airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was destined for Crestview, Florida (CEW). The pilot reported the airplane had been at CSG undergoing avionics installations for several weeks and he was returning it to his home base. During the takeoff roll on runway 24, while passing 80 knots, the pilot's canopy began to open. He would later report that the canopy handle became unsecured due to aircraft vibration, which had happened previously. The left wing came up and the pilot rejected the takeoff. The airplane began to settle as the landing gear collapsed. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and struck a taxiway sign. The airplane came to rest in the grass, adjacent to the runway. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspector confirmed structural damage to the left wing. The aircraft was then moved to a hangar for inspection of the landing gear system. The inspection revealed that the landing gear extend/retract switch was installed upside-down in the newly-replaced instrument panel. Troubleshooting revealed that the switch was in the "retract" position during preflight and takeoff; however, the safety squat switch on the landing gear prevented gear retraction on the ground. Once weight was removed from the landing gear during the takeoff sequence, the gear retracted. The inspector also reported that the mechanic for the avionics company did not perform a functional check (gear swing) on N333AW after the avionics installation. They did not possess a set of aircraft jacks to accomplish this and did not try to procure a set. ## Aircraft - Registration: N333AW (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: ACKLAND JEFFREY DEAN SH 3R - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3129 - Year built: 1990 - Airframe hours: 1827 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 30, 2013 - Departed: CSG, Columbus, GA - Destination: CEW, Crestview, FL - Airport: CSG, Columbus Airport, runway 24, 6,997 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 12,000 total, 276 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: CSG ## 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 20140903023679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140903023679A), Sep 3, 2014: Ackland Jeffrey Dean SH-3R, Columbus, GA, Substantial damage. Owner picked up aircraft after having avionics work performed on instrument panel. Preflighted aircraft, taxi out to runway 24 csg for take off. Pilot applied… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90015. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 401 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot and Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 393 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Passenger%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Cox (item 4, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Cox-Master.PDF - Maintenance Logbook Entry (item 5, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbook%20Entry-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Front View of Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 416 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Front%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Left Front View (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Left%20Front%20View%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Left%20Wing%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. --- 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.