# NTSB ERA16LA263: Tecnam P2008, N615BS, Warrenton, VA, July 19, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 2016, 12:33 local (16:33 UTC) - Place: Warrenton, VA - Coordinates: 38.632221, -77.87722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6322&lon=-77.8772&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 25, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93636 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93636/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93636 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA263 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to begin the takeoff roll with helicopter traffic on the runway, which led to a rejected takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper use of the toe brakes, which he had limited experience using and resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2008, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=060007Q), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2008, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=060007Q), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2008, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=060007Q), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2008, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060007Q), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2008, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=060007Q), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot reported that he was on the ramp ready for departure and that he was aware of helicopter traffic in the airport traffic pattern. He turned right onto the runway and saw a helicopter hovering over the runway ahead of him. He initiated the takeoff roll but then chose to reject the takeoff to avoid a possible collision. He stated that he pushed too hard on the left toe brake and that the airplane then departed the left side of the runway. The airplane then nosed down in the grass, which resulted in structural damage to the right wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had recently transitioned to the airplane with toe brakes from his previous airplane, which was equipped with a hand brake. He had only logged about 7 hours of flight time in the accident airplane make and model. It is likely that the pilot's lack of experience using a toe brake led to his failure to use it properly. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2016, at 1233 eastern daylight time, a Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P2008, N615BS, was substantially damaged following a rejected takeoff and runway excursion at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (HWY), Warrenton, Virginia. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he was on the ramp and ready for departure when he heard via the airplane's radio a helicopter calling "downwind, base, final, and departure." He made a right turn onto the runway and observed a helicopter hovering over the runway, ahead of his position. After initiating the takeoff roll, he elected to reject the takeoff to avoid a possible collision. He had recently transitioned to a new airplane with toe brakes, and his previous airplane was equipped with a hand brake. He pushed hard on the brakes, "very likely too much on the left side" and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The airplane departed the runway surface and nosed down in the grass. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot, age 87, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land and glider. He also held a FAA experimental aircraft builder certificate. The pilot held a FAA third class medical certificate and reported 1,295 total hours of flying experience on his most recent medical certificate application that was dated October 28, 2013. He reported 7 hours of flying time in the accident airplane make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N615BS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N615BS), registered now, S/N 105, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TECNAM P2008 - Registry model: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2008](https://openairdocs.org/model/costruzioni-aeronautiche-tecna-p2008) (registry code 060007Q) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914-series) (registry code 55575, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 105 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 38 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 2016, 38 hours before - Departed: HWY, Warrenton, VA - Destination: HWY, Warrenton, VA - Airport: HWY, Warrenton-Fauquier, runway 33, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,295 total, 7 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: HWY ## 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 20160719011309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160719011309A), Jul 19, 2016: Costruzioni Aeronautuche Tecna P2008, Midland, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to control aircraft during takeoff and lost control. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93636. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450988&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450990&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 369 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.