# NTSB ERA17LA091: American Legend AL3, N841ML, Pierson, FL, January 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 17, 2017, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Pierson, FL - Coordinates: 29.25, -81.459442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2500&lon=-81.4594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94628 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94628/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94628 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper braking during takeoff, which resulted in a nose-over. ## 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: [American Legend AL3, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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) (defining event); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [American Legend AL3, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=060002K), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was performing a touch-and-go landing on the 2,600-ft-long, 200-ft-wide turf runway in a 5- to 10-knot tailwind. The pilot reported that during the takeoff portion of the touch-and-go, the airplane suddenly nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. She reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. About 500 ft of wheel marks were observed on the runway leading up to the wreckage, consistent with a loss of directional control, as the marks were initially along the runway centerline, then deviated to the left, then to the right, and then back to the left. Just before the wreckage, 1 to 2 ft of marks appeared to be skid marks, consistent with heavy braking. Examination of the airplane and testing of the brakes did not reveal any evidence of preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Given this information, it is likely that the pilot improperly applied the brakes during the attempted transition to takeoff, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Factual narrative On January 17, 2017, at 1030 eastern standard time, an American Legend Aircraft Company AL3, N841ML, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during takeoff from the Pierson Municipal Airport (2J8), Pierson, Florida. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed, for the personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight departed Ormond Beach Municipal Airport (OMN), Ormond Beach, Florida about 1000.According to the pilot, she flew to 2J8 to perform touch-and-go landings. Upon arrival, she overflew the airport and did not observe any traffic in the area nor hear any radio calls over the common traffic advisory frequency. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for runway 5, a 2,600 foot-long, 200 foot-wide, turf runway, on a left downwind, and performed two touch-and-go landings without incident. The pilot recalled that during the third touch-and-go landing, she landed slightly farther down the runway than the first two landings, and that all three landings were within the first 25 percent of the runway length. As the airplane rolled on the runway, she added power to accelerate and the airplane suddenly nosed over like "hitting a brick wall," and came to a rest inverted. She noted there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. A witness, who was a designated pilot examiner, was sitting at a picnic table at the airport and observed the accident airplane. The witness stated that the airplane entered the traffic pattern for runway 5; however, the wind was favoring runway 23 at 5 to 10 knots. He observed the airplane complete two touch-and-go landings uneventfully. From his location about 1,500 ft away, he did not realize there had been an accident during the third touch-and-go until law enforcement arrived. He then went to the airplane to assist and observed about 500 ft of marks on the runway. The marks were initially along the runway centerline, then deviated to the left, then to the right, and then back to the left as they lead to the inverted airplane. Just prior to the wreckage, 1 to 2 ft of marks appeared to be skid marks. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. Her most recent second-class medical certificate was issued on March 2, 2015, at which time she reported 148 hours of total flight experience. During an interview, she indicated that she had about 30 hours of flight experience in the same make and model as the accident airplane. Examination of the conventional landing gear equipped airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, and wing struts. Flight control continuity was confirmed from each control surface to the cockpit controls. The wheel brakes functioned normally. The inspector examined therunway surface during the week following the accident, and he observed some animal burrows and holes in the turf at several locations, though not in the area of the accident. He further reported that damage to the runway in the area of the impact had been repaired prior to his examination. DeLand Municipal Airport (DED), DeLand, Florida, was located about 14 miles southeast of 2J8. At 1035, the reported weather included wind from 190 degrees at 10 knots, scattered clouds at 2,400 feet above ground level, with 10 statute miles of visibility. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N841ML](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N841ML), registered now, S/N AL-1064 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3 - Registry model: [American Legend AL3](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-legend-al3) (registry code 060002K) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AL-1064 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 184 - Engines: Continental O-200-A66B 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mike Lima Corporation - Registered owner: Mike Lima Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 8, 2016, 9 hours before - Departed: 2J8, Pierson, FL - Destination: 2J8, Pierson, FL - Airport: 2J8, Pierson Muni, runway 05, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 301 total, 38 in this make and model, 301 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: KDED, 14 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 20170117000419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170117000419A), Jan 17, 2017: American Legend Aircraft Co AL3, Pierson, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft was conducting touch and goes at Pierson Municipal Airport. The pilot had just performed two (2) uneventful touch and goes, on the third (3) attempt.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94628. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 504 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memoranda for Record - Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 473 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memoranda%20for%20Record%20-%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 4 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473478&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.