# NTSB ERA16LA267: Temple Benjamin Freedom Master FM-2, N282XT, East Haddam, CT, July 23, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 2016, 15:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: East Haddam, CT - Coordinates: 41.450279, -72.459999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4503&lon=-72.4600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93670 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93670/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93670 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA267 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of airplane control during the initial climb. ## 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: [Temple Benjamin FREEDOM MASTER FM-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631VT), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Temple Benjamin FREEDOM MASTER FM-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05631VT), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Temple Benjamin FREEDOM MASTER FM-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05631VT), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Temple Benjamin FREEDOM MASTER FM-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05631VT), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to witnesses, the commercial pilot performed an engine run-up and then departed the airport in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. The airplane climbed to about 400 ft above ground level, entered a steep left bank then a spin, and descended behind trees. Video recorded by one of the witnesses showed the airplane in the spin and also revealed that the engine was operating until it impacted a house. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. According to a friend of the pilot, the pilot did not have much flight time in the accident airplane, and most of the accident airplane's initial test flights were completed by another pilot. There were no entries in the pilot's logbook associated with the accident airplane make and model. Given the lack of mechanical malfunctions and the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain airplane control during the initial climb. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 2016, about 1555 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Freedom Master FM-2, N282XT, was substantially damaged when it impacted a house shortly after takeoff from Goodspeed Airport (42B), East Haddam, Connecticut. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and was destined for Republic Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, New York.According to witnesses, the pilot performed an engine run-up and then departed the airport. The airplane climbed to about 400 feet above ground level, "banked hard left," entered a spin, and then descended behind trees. A witness video recorded the airplane in the spin, which revealed that the engine was operating until it impacted a house. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued on April 29, 2016. According to the pilot's logbook recovered at the time of the accident, he accumulated about 375 hours of flight time, of which, no hours were reported in the previous 3 years. However, his most recent flight review was dated January 29, 2016. Due to the pilot's injuries and subsequent convalescence, he was unable to complete and submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report (Form 6120.1). According to a friend of the pilot, the pilot did not have much flight time in the accident airplane and that most of the accident airplane phase flights were completed by another pilot. According to FAA records, the airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate in 2012. It was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-C1C, 200-hp engine. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the most recent condition inspection was performed on January 31, 2016, at a total time of 9.5 hours. In a maintenance log entry dated March 11, 2016, it stated that the airplane had accumulated 32.1 total hours of time in service. According to an FAA Inspector who responded to the accident site, the airplane impacted the house in a nose low attitude and came to rest inside the structure. The wings, fuselage, and empennage were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The propeller remained attached to the engine and exhibited chordwise scratching. Furthermore, an odor consistent with aviation fuel was noted at the accident site. An examination of the airframe by an NTSB investigator revealed that both wing tips were impact damaged and the wings were separated from the airframe. The flaps and ailerons remained attached to the wings. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator were cut from the airframe to facilitate recovery, and the elevator remained attached to the horizontal stabilizer. Therudder was partially separated from the empennage. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit through fractures consistent with overload. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N282XT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N282XT-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 026, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TEMPLE BENJAMIN FREEDOM MASTER FM-2 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Temple Benjamin FREEDOM MASTER FM-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/temple-benjamin-freedom-master-fm-2) (registry code 05631VT) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-C1C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-c1c) (registry code 41832, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 026 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 32.1 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 31, 2016, 23 hours before - Departed: 42B, East Haddam, CT - Destination: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY - Airport: 42B, Goodspeed, runway 32, 2,120 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review January 29, 2016; flight hours: 378.8 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: SNC, 4 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 20160723011459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160723011459A), Jul 23, 2016: Temple Benjamin FREEDOM MASTER FM-2, Haddam, CT, Destroyed. On July 23, 2016 at about 15:55 local time, aircraft N282XT departed from Goodspeed Airport on runway 32. Wind was 9 knots at 310. According to a witness, the… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93670. 4.7 MB in all. - Memorandum of Record - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Witness Video of Accident (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Witness%20Video%20of%20Accident-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 771 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation with Witness (item 4, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Witness-Master.PDF - Wreckage Examination Notes (item 5, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination%20Notes-Master.PDF - Airplane Maintenance Logbooks (item 6, .PDF, 808 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Maintenance%20Logbooks-Master.PDF - Pilot Logbook Excerpt (item 7, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465215&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Logbook%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Weather Observations (item 8, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465216&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 9, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465217&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.