# NTSB ERA21LA073: Flight Design Ctsw, N138CT, Marion, NC, December 13, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 13, 2020, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Marion, NC - Coordinates: 35.7203, -82.0141 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7203&lon=-82.0141&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102411 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102411/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102411 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA073 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff, resulting in a rejected takeoff and runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600001), [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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Flight Design CTSW, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0600001), [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: [Flight Design CTSW, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=0600001), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were departing for a cross-country flight in calm wind conditions. Shortly after liftoff, at an airspeed of about 46 knots, the airplane suddenly yawed to the right and came back down on the runway. The pilot elected to reject the takeoff. The airplane continued to veer to the right, and the airplane departed the runway and entered an area of soft terrain. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Following the accident, the pilot thought that the rudder had malfunctioned. However, examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of a preaccident malfunction or anomaly. Thus, the pilot likely did not maintain yaw control of the airplane during the takeoff. ## Factual narrative On December 13, 2020, about 1045 eastern standard time, a Flight Design CTSW, N138CT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marion, North Carolina. The airline transport pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that all preflight operations were routine for the cross-country flight to Frankfort, Kentucky. Shortly after liftoff at an airspeed of about 46 knots, the airplane suddenly yawed to the right and came back down on the runway. The pilot elected to reject the takeoff, but the airplane continued to veer to the right. The airplane then departed the runway and entered an area of soft terrain. The nosewheel collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot also reported that the takeoff gross weight was 1,310 pounds, which was 10 pounds below maximum gross weight for the airplane. He also reported that “something failed in the rudder.” Postaccident examination of the airplane found that the nose gear had collapsed and was crushed into the lower fuselage. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were structurally damaged. Flight control continuity was established from the rudder to the cockpit rudder pedals. The pedals were jammed and would not move. Further examination revealed that the collapsed nose gear bent the rod between the rudder pedal assembly and the nose gear steering linkage. Otherwise, the rudder was free and clear with full travel available. Flight control continuity was also confirmed from the elevator and ailerons to the cockpit controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N138CT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N138CT-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 07-09-25, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLIGHT DESIGN CTSW - Registry model: [Flight Design CTSW](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ctsw) (registry code 0600001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 07-09-25 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 491 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS2 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 2020, 14 hours before - Destination: FFT, Frankfort, KY - Airport: 9A9, Shiflet Field, runway 10, 3,340 × 180 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Airframe parachute, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,851 total, 41 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: FQD, 18 nm away - METAR: KFQD 131555Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT011 14/11 A3012 RMK AO2 ## 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 20201213019349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201213019349A), Dec 13, 2020: Flight Design Gmbh CTSW, Marion, NC, Substantial damage. On December 13, 2020, N138CT attempted to depart shiflet field (9A9) in Marion, NC. A preflight briefing and inspection were completed and the aircraft was… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102411. 12.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12053080&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12053123&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Examination summary (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 367 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12052590&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Examination%20Summary%20N138CT_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 7 pages, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12052303&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Weight and balance data (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12052964&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20Weight%20and%20Balance_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12052361&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20Signed%20Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.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.