# NTSB ERA23LA379: Dorr Dan W Sequoia F.8L Falco, N708WC, Sanford, FL, September 26, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 26, 2023, 15:51 local (19:51 UTC) - Place: Sanford, FL - Coordinates: 28.781715, -81.234602 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7817&lon=-81.2346&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA379 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193148/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193148 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA379 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after an engine access cover opened during the initial climb. ## 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: [Dorr Dan W SEQUOIA F.8L FALCO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05615AY), [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: [Dorr Dan W SEQUOIA F.8L FALCO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05615AY), [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-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Dorr Dan W SEQUOIA F.8L FALCO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05615AY), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot performed a preflight inspection before he initiated the startup and taxi without any anomalies noted. During the initial climb after takeoff, about 100 ft above ground level over the runway, an engine compartment access cover opened. The pilot called the air traffic control tower and was cleared to land on a parallel runway. The pilot continued in the traffic pattern, but slowed the airplane in hopes that the access cover would not detach. The pilot became focused on the open cover and let the airspeed decrease, which resulted in a buffet, the left wing dropping, and the airplane “[falling] out of the sky.” The airplane subsequently impacted a taxiway and came to rest on the parallel runway, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also stated that he, “…focused way too much on the open engine cover and way too little on flying the airplane… The result was classic stall/spin scenario too close to the ground.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N708WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N708WC-2024-04-13), registration cancelled 2024-04-13, S/N 1046, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DORR DAN W SEQUOIA F.8L FALCO - Registry model: [Dorr Dan W SEQUOIA F.8L FALCO](https://openairdocs.org/model/dorr-dan-w-sequoia-f-8l-falco) (registry code 05615AY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0-360-B1E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0-360-b1e) (registry code 41559, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1046 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 675 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2023, 20 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: SFB, Orlando Sanford Intl, runway 9L, 11,002 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,875 total, 167 in this make and model, 1,875 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: SFB, 1 nm away - METAR: KSFB 261953Z 18008KT 10SM FEW035 32/23 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP151 T03220233 ## 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 20230926016759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230926016759A), Sep 26, 2023: Dorr Dan W SEQUOIA F.8L FALCO, Sanford, FL, Substantial damage. September 26, 2023, pilot completed preflight and moved aircraft out of the hangar with intention of flying. Pilot started and taxied without any issues.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 16, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193148. 9.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 7.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16299936&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Strong_Accident_NTSB_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16299678&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20statement-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16316219&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA379-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.