# NTSB ERA16CA259: Hirn Associates Zodiac CH601XL, N650WP, Hedgesville, WV, July 17, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 17, 2016, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Hedgesville, WV - Coordinates: 39.574722, -77.971389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5747&lon=-77.9714&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 September 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA259 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93618/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93618 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA259 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadvertent activation of the elevator trim, which resulted in a premature takeoff and subsequent loss of airplane control and collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hirn Associates ZODIAC CH601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05627VA), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hirn Associates ZODIAC CH601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05627VA), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Flight control system: elevator tab control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hirn Associates ZODIAC CH601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md?model=05627VA), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022731/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Hirn Associates ZODIAC CH601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05627VA), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Hirn Associates ZODIAC CH601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05627VA), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Hirn Associates ZODIAC CH601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05627VA), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hirn Associates ZODIAC CH601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05627VA), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll while about 35 knots, he realized that he forgot to turn on the airplane's anticollision lights. He reached over to turn them on, and his forearm brushed across the top of the control stick and activated the electric trim to a full, nose-up position. The airplane suddenly climbed in a steep, nose-high attitude to about 60 ft before it started to roll left toward trees. As the airplane rolled left, the pilot attempted to compensate with right rudder and aileron input, but it had little effect on directional control, so he chose to turn back to the left and try to climb over the trees. The airplane impacted the top of the tree canopy then descended through the trees and impacted the ground. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that during the takeoff roll at approximately 35 knots, he realized that he forgot to turn on the airplane's anti-collision lights. He reached over to turn them on and his forearm brushed across the top of the control stick and activated the electric trim to a full nose up position. The airplane suddenly climbed off the runway in a steep nose high attitude to an altitude of about 60 ft before it started a roll to the left towards trees. As the airplane rolled left, the pilot attempted to compensate with right rudder and aileron input, but it had little effect on directional control, so he elected to turn back to the left and try to climb over the trees. The airplane impacted the top of the tree canopy then descended through the trees and impacted the ground. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N650WP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N650WP-2018-12-13), registration cancelled 2018-12-13, S/N 6-7152, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HIRN ASSOCIATES LTD ZODIAC CH601XL - Registry model: [Hirn Associates ZODIAC CH601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/hirn-associates-zodiac-ch601xl) (registry code 05627VA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300a) (registry code 34804, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-7152 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 100.4 - Engines: Jabiru 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 2016 - Departed: WV22, Hedgesville, WV - Destination: WV22, Hedgesville, WV - Airport: WV22, Green Landings, runway 3, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: MRB, 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 20160717012899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160717012899A), Jul 17, 2016: Hirn Associates Ltd ZODIAC CH601XL, Hedgesville, WV, Substantial damage. On July 17th 2016 at 10:30 local, [privacy data omitted], piloting a zodiac CH601XL, N650WP, departed Green landing airport in Hedgesville west Virginia, via… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93618. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 769 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455536&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Summary of Conversation/Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455537&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Conversation%2FPilot-Master.PDF - Accident Site and Damage Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs-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.