# NTSB ERA15LA174: G-Dawg Just Acft Highlander, N376CG, Walhalla, SC, March 31, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 2015, 14:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Walhalla, SC - Coordinates: 34.732498, -83.078613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7325&lon=-83.0786&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report March 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90966/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90966 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA174 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around in gusting tailwind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## 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: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056270R), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was demonstrating the experimental, light sport airplane to a potential buyer. The wind was calm when they departed, but gusty when they returned about 30 minutes later. Due to the runway's sloping terrain, all takeoffs were performed in one direction and all landings in the opposite direction. The pilot estimated that a 20-mph tailwind prevailed during final approach, gusting to between 25 and 30 mph. The airplane approached the runway too fast, and the pilot conducted a go-around. He increased the engine power to full, and the airplane began to climb, but as it approached trees at the end of the runway, it encountered a wind gust and stopped climbing. The airplane then impacted a treetop, descended, and impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation nor did the pilot report any anomalies. The recorded wind about the time of the accident at an airport located 10 miles east of the accident site indicated that a 12-knot tailwind, gusting to 21 knots, existed. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 2015, about 1435 eastern daylight time, an experimental light sport Just Aircraft Highlander, N376CG, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain at a private airfield near Walhalla, South Carolina. The private pilot and passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local business flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.The pilot was demonstrating the airplane to a potential buyer. The pilot reported that the wind was calm when they departed, but gusty when they returned about 30 minutes later. He estimated the wind as a 20-mph tailwind during final approach, gusting to a 25 to 30-mph tailwind. The airplane approached too fast and the pilot performed a go-around. He increased the engine power to full power and the airplane began to climb, but as it approached trees at the end of the runway, "a big tailwind gust" caused the airplane to cease climbing. The airplane collided with the top of the tree, descended, and impacted the ground. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. According to a witness, the accident flight was one of several flights performed to demonstrate the performance characteristics of the airplane to a potential buyer and his friend. The witness indicated that during the accident flight, the airplane was landing toward the east with a tailwind, and travelling faster than normal as it approached the runway. As the airplane descended toward the runway surface, the witness observed an increase in engine power, and the airplane subsequently "ballooned." Shortly thereafter the pilot "added full power" and the airplane began to climb and flew over a two-story building located about 100 ft east of the runway, along its extended centerline. The airplane then struck trees adjacent to the north side of the building before it impacted the ground in a wooded ravine. The witness added that the turf runway was 400 to 500 ft in length, oriented east-west. Due to sloping terrain, all landings are performed to the east and all takeoffs performed to the west. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for single-engine land, airplane single-engine sea, and instrument airplane. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 6,672 hours; of which about 46 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. All 46 hours were flown during the 90-day period preceding the accident. Oconee County Regional Airport (CEU), Clemson, South Carolina was located about 10 miles east of the accident site. The recorded weather at CEU, at 1454, was: wind from 260° at 12 knots, gusting to 21 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 26° C; dew point 2° C; altimeter 29.92 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N376CG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N376CG-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N JAESC0141 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: G-DAWG LLC JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER - Registry model: [G-Dawg JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/g-dawg-just-acft-highlander) (registry code 056270R) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JAESC0141 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 2568 - Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: G-Dawg LLC - Registered owner: G-Dawg LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: PVT, Walhalla, SC - Destination: PVT, Walhalla, SC - Airport: PVT, Just Aircraft Facility, runway 090, 450 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 22, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,672 total, 46 in this make and model, 6,600 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KCEU, 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 20150331004149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150331004149A), Mar 31, 2015: G-Dawg LLC JUST ACFT HIGHLANDER, Walhalla, SC, Substantial damage. According to the pilot, the accident flight was one of several flights performed to demonstrate the performance characteristics of the airplane to a potential… ## Other investigations on N376CG (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA11CA455](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA455), Aug 13, 2011: G-Dawg Just Acft Highlander (N376CG), Abingdon, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the aborted takeoff. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90966. 964 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458972&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Records of Conversation - Witnesses and FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 167 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Records%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Witnesses%20and%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-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.