# NTSB ERA15CA320: Sanderson Herbert H SHA Glasair, N629HS, Bladenboro, NC, August 15, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 15, 2015, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Bladenboro, NC - Coordinates: 34.542778, -78.778053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5428&lon=-78.7781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91809 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA320 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91809/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91809 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA320 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a ditch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sanderson Herbert H SHA GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05655PW), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sanderson Herbert H SHA GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05655PW), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Sanderson Herbert H SHA GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05655PW), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Sanderson Herbert H SHA GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05655PW), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sanderson Herbert H SHA GLASAIR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05655PW), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the during the takeoff roll on a 2,850-foot-long, 135-foot-wide turf runway, the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel airplane began to veer left as full engine power was attained. The pilot was unable to correct with right rudder and right brake input. She subsequently attempted to takeoff before the airplane veered too far, but it then began to porpoise. As the pilot started to reject the takeoff, the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway, struck a ditch and came to rest upright. The pilot reported that she had in excess of 1,800 hours of tailwheel experience; however, only 2.1 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. She added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and the wind was light and variable at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration revealed damage to both wings and the fuselage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the during the takeoff roll on a 2,850-foot-long, 135-foot-wide turf runway, the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel airplane began to veer left as full engine power was attained. The pilot was unable to correct with right rudder and right brake input. She subsequently attempted to takeoff before the airplane veered too far, but it then began to porpoise. As the pilot started to reject the takeoff, the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway, struck a ditch and came to rest upright. The pilot reported that she had in excess of 1,800 hours of tailwheel experience; however, only 2.1 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. She added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and the wind was light and variable at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration revealed damage to both wings and the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N629HS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N629HS-2019-03-23), registration cancelled 2019-03-23, S/N SN363 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SANDERSON HERBERT H SHA GLASAIR (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Sanderson Herbert H SHA GLASAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/sanderson-herbert-h-sha-glasair) (registry code 05655PW) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: SN363 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 70 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Derek Tippins - Registered owner: Derek Tippins - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2015, 2 hours before - Departed: 3W6, Bladenboro, NC - Destination: AYS, Waycross, GA - Airport: 3W6, Bladenboro Airport, runway 20, 2,850 × 135 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,000 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,880 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: EYF, 10 nm away ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91809. 847 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 417 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 380 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Main%20Wreckage%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.