# NTSB ERA17CA177: Reupert Mark Avid Flyer, N532SE, Reedsville, PA, May 10, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 10, 2017, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Reedsville, PA - Coordinates: 40.68111, -77.625831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6811&lon=-77.6258&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95149/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95149 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA177 ## Probable cause The sport pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Reupert Mark AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=05612CK), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Reupert Mark AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05612CK), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Reupert Mark AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05612CK), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Reupert Mark AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05612CK), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Reupert Mark AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05612CK), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Reupert Mark AVID FLYER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05612CK), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The sport pilot, who was also the owner of the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel airplane, stated that he was demonstrating maneuvers for the purpose of developing his brother's familiarity with the make and model airplane. The sport pilot's brother was a pilot-rated passenger, was seated in the right seat, and had not previously flown the make and model airplane. After completing about 1 hour of maneuvers, the sport pilot's brother attempted to take off in calm wind. During the takeoff roll, as the tail became airborne, the airplane began to swerve. The sport pilot's brother overcorrected for the swerve, and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The sport pilot attempted to regain control and climb over obstacles, but the airplane stalled and impacted a field. Examination of the wreckage revealed damage to both wings and the fuselage. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were observed, nor did the pilots report any. ## Factual narrative The sport pilot, was also the owner of the experimental, amateur-built, tailwheel airplane stated that he was demonstrating maneuvers for the purpose of developing his brother's familiarity with the make and model airplane. The sport pilot's brother was a pilot-rated passenger, seated in the right seat and had not previously flown the make and model airplane. After completing about 1 hour of maneuvers, the sport pilot's brother attempted a takeoff in calm wind. During the takeoff roll, as the tail became airborne, the airplane began to swerve. The sport pilot's brother overcorrected for the swerve and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The sport pilot attempted to regain control and climb over obstacles, but the airplane stalled and impacted a field. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to both wings and the fuselage. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilots report any. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N532SE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N532SE), registered now, S/N 231, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: REUPERT MARK AVID FLYER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Reupert Mark AVID FLYER](https://openairdocs.org/model/reupert-mark-avid-flyer) (registry code 05612CK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 231 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 900 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 28, 2017, 2 hours before - Departed: RVL, Reedsville, PA - Destination: RVL, Reedsville, PA - Airport: RVL, Mifflin County Airport, runway 24, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review September 11, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 700 total, 700 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 200 total, 999,999 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: UNV, 15 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 20170510007079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170510007079A), May 10, 2017: Reupert Mark AVID FLYER, Reedsville, PA, Substantial damage. The aircraft, N532SE, is a side by side dual controlled experimental amateur built aircraft and had two occupants on board. The occupant in the left seat was a… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 24, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95149. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-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.