# NTSB ERA16LA305: Dayton A Babcock Storm, N516VB, Eustis, FL, August 20, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2016, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Eustis, FL - Coordinates: 28.843334, -81.629997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8433&lon=-81.6300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93919 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93919/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93919 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA305 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the loss of engine power due to a malfunctioning alternator, which precipitated the off-field landing, and the pilot’s decision to attempt to take off from an area with high grass, which precipitated the 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dayton A Babcock STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0563136), [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: [Dayton A Babcock STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0563136), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: aC generator-alternator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Dayton A Babcock STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421/cases.md?model=0563136), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022421/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Dayton A Babcock STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0563136), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dayton A Babcock STORM, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0563136), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dayton A Babcock STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=0563136), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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 engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Dayton A Babcock STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0563136), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Dayton A Babcock STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0563136), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dayton A Babcock STORM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0563136), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that he was conducting a local flight in the weight-shift-control aircraft when the engine lost total power. He added that he landed the aircraft in a field and determined that the main battery was "completely dead," so he obtained another battery and installed it on the aircraft. He test ran the engine before takeoff, and it performed satisfactorily. During the subsequent takeoff in high grass, the aircraft did not accelerate as expected, and the engine began to lose power. The pilot aborted the takeoff and applied the wheel brakes. The brakes locked, and he lost directional control. The aircraft then impacted a fence and a house before coming to rest on its left side. The pilot reported that the alternator on the automotive engine, which had an electronic ignition, was likely not charging and that this resulted in the battery becoming depleted and the subsequent loss of engine power. He also reported that he did not account for the effect of the high grass on the airplane's performance and should have aborted the takeoff sooner. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2016, about 0930 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Storm, N516VB, was substantially damaged while attempting to depart from a grass field in Eustis, Florida. The airline transport pilot was not injured. The weight-shift-control aircraft was registered to Lake Hoppers Air Adventures, Inc. 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 originated from Mid Florida Air Service Airport (X55), Eustis, about 0915. The pilot reported that he was en route to Tavares, Florida, when he noted a red indicator light on his instrument panel, and a loss of engine power. Approximately 12 gallons of fuel were on board. He landed the aircraft in a field uneventfully and called friends for assistance. The aircraft battery was found to be "completely dead," so he obtained a new battery, installed it, and test ran the engine. He ran the engine again prior to takeoff and found it to perform "satisfactory." He commenced the takeoff from the grass field and noticed that the aircraft was not accelerating as expected. He later reported that the grass was tall, possibly hindering acceleration. The engine subsequently began to lose power. He rejected the takeoff and applied the wheel brakes. The brakes locked up and the airplane skidded toward a fence. The aircraft collided with the fence and a house and came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported the aircraft damage as substantial; the front fork collapsed and the wing spar was broken. He reported that he did not consider the effect of the tall grass on performance and could have aborted the takeoff more quickly. The pilot later stated, in retrospect, he was convinced that, "…the component that failed was the alternator that was not charging, hence the loss of engine power when the voltage ran low." The aircraft was equipped with a Suzuki G13B automotive engine. The engine utilized electronic fuel injection and ignition. He stated that the engine was overhauled about 45 hours prior to the accident. The pilot held airline transport, commercial, and sport pilot certificates with ratings for airplane multiengine land, airplane single engine land, airplane single engine sea, and glider. He reported 17,000 hours of total flight time, including 350 hours in the accident aircraft type. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N516VB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N516VB), registered now, S/N TTS61 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAYTON A BABCOCK STORM (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Dayton A Babcock STORM](https://openairdocs.org/model/dayton-a-babcock-storm) (registry code 0563136) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Suzuki G13BB](https://openairdocs.org/engine/suzuki-g13bb) (registry code 59305, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift, amateur-built - Serial number: TTS61 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 45 - Engines: Suzuki - Geo G13B 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 9, 2015, 45 hours before - Departed: X55, Eustis, FL - Destination: X55, Eustis, FL - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, sport pilot, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2015; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 17,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 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 20160820012109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160820012109A), Aug 20, 2016: Dayton A Babcock STORM, Eustis, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot [privacy data omitted] ATP certificate #[privacy data omitted] on 8/20/16 at approximately 9AM departed X55 (mid Florida airport) and flew west… ## Other investigations on N516VB (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 ERA15CA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA118), Jan 2, 2015: Dayton A Babcock Storm (N516VB), Eustis, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate spacing from the preceding aircraft during a formation landing, resulting in an inadvertent "prop wash" encounter, loss of control, and impact with terrain. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93919. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457158&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457159&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Photo Array (Courtesy of Eustis FL Police) (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 595 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%20(Courtesy%20of%20Eustis%20FL%20Police)-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.