# NTSB FTW95LA140: Beecher Polliwagen PW-1, N192EB, New Waverly, TX, March 18, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 18, 1995, 16:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: New Waverly, TX - Coordinates: 30.53099, -95.480155 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5310&lon=-95.4802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19371 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19371/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA140 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS WERE HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN ENGINE PERFORMANCE DATA, THE RESULTING IMPROPER RED LINE MARKING ON THE TACHOMETER, AND THE IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE PROPELLER. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - performance data - not obtained, owner/pilot mechanic (contributing factor) - maintenance,adjustment - improper, owner/pilot mechanic (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence ## Analysis DURING THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE'S SECOND FLIGHT AND FIRST TAKEOFF ROLL FROM THE 1,200 FOOT GRASS STRIP, IT STRUCK A FENCE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, IMPACTED A DRAINAGE DITCH AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE 'SHOULD HAVE BEEN AIRBORNE IN 400 FEET.' HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAD SET THE GROUND ADJUSTABLE PROPELLER 'TO GET AN RPM OF 2475' AS THIS WAS THE RED LINE MARKED ON THE TACHOMETER. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS RATED RPM OF THE ENGINE, WHICH SHOULD CORRESPOND TO THE RED LINE ON THE TACHOMETER, IS 2700 RPM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE BECAME AWARE OF THIS DISCREPANCY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On March 18, 1995, at 1640 central standard time, a homebuilt Polliwagen PW-1, N192EB, collided with a fence during takeoff from a private airstrip near New Waverly, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the CFR Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, who was the builder of the airplane, this was to be the aircraft's second flight and the first takeoff from the 1,200 foot grass strip. He reported that the "rpm was 2375, airspeed was 65" when he "pulled back on the stick, and, as the nose gear came up, I hit the fence at the north end of my runway." The airplane then impacted a drainage ditch and came to rest inverted on a public road adjacent to the airstrip. The pilot stated that he "should have become airborne in 400 feet." He further stated that, prior to takeoff, he had set the ground adjustable propeller "to get an rpm of 2475" as this was the red line marked on the tachometer. According to the manufacturer, the maximum continuous rated rpm of the engine, which should correspond to the red line on the tachometer, is 2700 rpm. On the pilot's enclosed report, he wrote that he "found out later, red line should have been 2,700." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N192EB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N192EB-1995-08-04), registration cancelled 1995-08-04, S/N 1789N (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECHER POLLIWAGEN PW-1 (POLLIWAGEN) - Registry model: [Beecher Everett E POLLIWAGEN PW1](https://openairdocs.org/model/beecher-everett-e-polliwagen-pw1) (registry code 05620HU) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1789N - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Beecher, Everett E. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1995, 0 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: CXO, CONROE, TX - Airport: runway 36, 1,200 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 432 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 19950318004309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950318004309A), Mar 18, 1995: Amtr POLLIWAGON, New Waverly, TX, Substantial damage. Took off short grass strip hit fence and drainage ditch. Nosed over. Misset prop angle 2475 RPM. Correct was 2700. 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.