# NTSB ERA24LA378: Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B, N371WB, Stratford, CT, September 10, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 10, 2024, 16:12 local (20:12 UTC) - Place: Stratford, CT - Coordinates: 41.163481, -73.126176 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1635&lon=-73.1262&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - 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): 195101 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA378 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195101/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195101 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA378 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain direction control of the airplane during a takeoff in crosswind conditions. ## 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: [Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0563852), [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: [Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0563852), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=0563852), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0563852), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0563852), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had received an automated weather briefing prior to taxiing that detailed that a quartering right headwind gusting up to 16 knots would prevail for the takeoff. As he turned onto the runway and began to apply full power for takeoff, there was a “strong crosswind from the right,” and the airplane turned into the wind. The pilot applied full left rudder input but could not keep the airplane aligned with the runway centerline. Shortly after, he reduced the engine power to idle and applied full brakes, but the wind continued to push the airplane to the right. He reported that the tailwheel was also skidding down the pavement surface even with the elevator “full back.” The airplane contacted a taxiway sign on the right edge of the runway, substantially damaging the right wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N371WB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N371WB), registered now, S/N WXB0037, built 2020 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BRANDT STIRLING D WAIEX-B - Registry model: [Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/brandt-stirling-d-waiex-b) (registry code 0563852) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aeroconver AEROVEE-2.1 T](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aeroconver-aerovee-2-1-t) (registry code 01398, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: WXB0037 - Year built: 2020 - Airframe hours: 212.6 - Engines: AEROCONVER AEROVEE 2.1 T 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 4, 2024, 4 hours before - Airport: BDR, Bridgeport/Sikorsky, runway 29, 4,759 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 12, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 386.8 total, 212.7 in this make and model, 325.4 as pilot in command, 3.6 in the last 90 days, 2.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: BDR - METAR: KBDR 101952Z 34010G16KT 10SM CLR 26/07 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP177 T02560072 ## 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 20240910012349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240910012349A), Sep 10, 2024: Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B, Stratford, CT, Substantial damage. On September 10, 2024, at approximately 1600 EST, the mishap aircraft experienced a wind gust during departure roll on rwy 29 at kbdr. The right-wing contacted… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195101. 11.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 9.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17693964&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA378%20Pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17693808&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA378%20Photo%20Array-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.