# NTSB ERA16CA134: Eichhorn Gary L Skyraider I, N8109E, Erwin, NC, March 16, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 16, 2016, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Erwin, NC
- Coordinates: 35.352779, -78.692779
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3528&lon=-78.6928&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92857/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92857
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA134

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind which resulted in a loss of directional control.

## 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 · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Eichhorn Gary L SKYRAIDER I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05619FF), [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: [Eichhorn Gary L SKYRAIDER I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05619FF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Eichhorn Gary L SKYRAIDER I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=05619FF), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/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: [Eichhorn Gary L SKYRAIDER I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05619FF), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot/owner reported that he was departing on his first flight in the experimental airplane he had just purchased. He began the takeoff roll to the west and the wind pushed the airplane towards the right side of the runway. He attempted to correct with left rudder, but the airplane continued to the right. He then added left aileron, but the airplane continued right and the right wing struck a tree limb. According to the pilot, "The next thing I knew I was on the ground." The pilot reported he had 200 total hours of flight experience, and that his experience was divided between both certified and experimental airplanes. He stated that his airplane had no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot/owner reported that he was departing on his first flight in the experimental airplane he had just purchased. He began the takeoff roll to the west and the wind pushed the airplane towards the right side of the runway. He attempted to correct with left rudder, but the airplane continued to the right. He then added left aileron, but the airplane continued right and the right wing struck a tree limb. According to the pilot, "The next thing I knew I was on the ground."The pilot reported he had 200 total hours of flight experience, and that his experience was divided between both certified and experimental airplanes. He stated that his airplane had no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8109E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8109E-2023-11-24), registration cancelled 2023-11-24, S/N 105, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EICHHORN GARY L SKYRAIDER I (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Eichhorn Gary L SKYRAIDER I](https://openairdocs.org/model/eichhorn-gary-l-skyraider-i) (registry code 05619FF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 105
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 60
- Engines: ROTAX 447 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry Williford
- Registered owner: Jerry Williford
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, December 12, 2015
- Departed: PVT, Erwin, NC
- Destination: PVT, Erwin, NC
- Airport: PVT, Sawyer Field, runway 27, 2,300 × 65 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 223 total, 0.2 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: KHRJ, 2 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 20160316002179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160316002179A), Mar 16, 2016: Eichhorn Gary L SKYRAIDER I, Erwin, NC, Destroyed. Pilot in command began take off roll with a crosswind from his left. The aircraft began drifting to the right side of the runway. The pilot raised the tail,…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92857. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 872 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%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.