# NTSB FTW04LA196: Everett Vidrine Dragonfly, N89VE, Covington, LA, July 23, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 2004, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Covington, LA - Coordinates: 30.444999, -89.988609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4450&lon=-89.9886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59719 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59719/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA196 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which failed to assure adequate takeoff performance for the airplane to clear obstacles. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Prior to departure, the pilot topped off the fuel tanks. The pilot indicated the takeoff roll "used alot of runway." Shortly after takeoff, the airplane impacted trees near the end of the runway, and came to rest south of the airport. The pilot stated the airplane did not climb due to a high density altitude. In addition, the pilot stated there were no anomalies with the engine or airframe. The elevation at the airport was 39 feet msl and the density altitude was calculated to 1,764 feet. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 2004, approximately 0830 central daylight time, an Everett Vidrine Dragonfly single-engine homebuilt airplane, N89VE, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from St. Tammany Regional Airport (L31), near Covington, Louisiana. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator, and a passenger, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 81-year old pilot stated that prior to departure, he topped off the fuel tanks. The pilot indicated the takeoff roll "used a lot of runway." Shortly after takeoff, the airplane impacted trees near the end of the runway, and came to rest south of the airport. The pilot reported he believed the airplane did not climb due to a high density altitude. In addition, the pilot stated there were no anomalies with the engine or airframe. According to the local authorities, the pilot reported that prior to the flight, the pilot completed a weight and balance, which was within gross weight limits. The pilot did not hold a valid medical certificate at the time of the accident. A pilot-rated witness, who was in another airplane waiting for the accident airplane to depart, noted that during the takeoff, the pilot attempted to rotate at the mid-point of the runway. During rotation, the nose wheel briefly came off the runway, then sank back down onto the runway. The takeoff roll continued and the airplane became airborne near the end of the runway. The airplane slowly climbed, and became level with the treetops. The airplane then descended below the treetops and out of the witness's sight. The witness departed and attempted to contact the accident airplane; however, the transmission was not acknowledged. The witness circled the area and did not observe the airplane wreckage. The witness continued on with her flight and assumed the airplane had not crashed. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, the engine was separated, the wooden propeller was destroyed, and the fuselage was fragmented. The calculated density altitude was 1,764 feet. The elevation at St. Tammany Regional Airport is 39 feet msl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89VE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89VE-2009-04-09), registration cancelled 2009-04-09, S/N 906, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Everett Vidrine Dragonfly - Registry model: [Vidrine Everett E DRAGONFLY](https://openairdocs.org/model/vidrine-everett-e-dragonfly) (registry code 05644QP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 906 - Engines: Jabiru 2200 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank L. Hilliard - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2002 - Departed: L31, Covington, LA - Airport: runway 18, 2,999 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review December 29, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: ASD, 16 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 20040723017929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040723017929A), Jul 23, 2004: Amtr DRAGONFLY, Covington, LA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot stated that the aircraft would not rotate until he reached the end of the 3000' runway. The aircraft struck the tops of a 60' tree line that… 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.