# NTSB FTW96LA112: Masnic SKY Hopper II, N2795, Edgewood, NM, February 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 8, 1996, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Edgewood, NM - Coordinates: 35.079627, -106.169723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0796&lon=-106.1697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19757 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19757/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA112 ## Probable cause the pilot exceeding the airplane's crosswind component which led to his inability to compensate for the crosswind conditions. A factor was the gusty winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - crosswind component - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis During the takeoff roll to the east, the experimental homebuilt airplane veered to the left of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder and brake; however, the airplane did not respond. The pilot reported the winds varied from 6 to 8 mph from the northeast through the northwest with 'occasional northerly gust' to 15 mph. A rudder modification by the pilot increased the surface area by 170 square inches. Following the modification, the pilot had flown the airplane 38.06 hours, and he considered the 'rudder authority as fairly good.' The pilot recalled that several weeks before the current accident he had applied full right rudder during a takeoff with a 'varying crosswind.' He reported that 'he was probably operating the [modified] rudder at the limit of its design capacity in [the] gust.' ## Factual narrative On February 8, 1996, at 1100 mountain standard time, a Masnic Sky Hopper II experimental homebuilt, N2795, collided with terrain during takeoff near Edgewood, New Mexico. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local personal flight. During interviews, conducted by the FAA inspector, the pilot reported the following information. During the takeoff roll to the east, as the tailwheel lifted from the runway, the airplane veered to the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder and brake; however, the airplane did not respond. As the airplane exited the runway onto soft dirt, the right main gear collapsed and the right wing struck the ground. The airplane continued across a ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Fabric and wooden spars of both wings were damaged. The pilot stated that the winds varied from 6 to 8 mph from the northeast through the northwest with "occasional northerly gust" to 15 mph. A review of the maintenance records (copy enclosed) and FAA correspondence revealed the following information. The airplane, built in 1971 by John R. Masnic, was purchased by the pilot. On July 21, 1994, the FAA authorized the pilot to make modifications to the rudder. The rudder surface area was increased 170 square inches. Following this modification, the airplane was flown 38.06 hours and the pilot considered the "rudder authority as fairly good"; however, the pilot recalled that several weeks before the current accident, he had to apply full right rudder during a takeoff with a "varying crosswind." The pilot reported that "he was probably operating the [modified] rudder at the limit of it's design capacity in [the] gust." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2795](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2795-2004-12-07), registration cancelled 2004-12-07, S/N M3577, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MASNIC SKY HOPPER II (SKY HOPPER) - Registry model: [Masnic SKYHOPPER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/masnic-skyhopper-ii) (registry code 0562552) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: M3577 - Airframe hours: 38 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John R. Masnic - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1995, 32 hours before - Departed: NM51 - Airport: E92, Sandia Airpark, runway 9, 5,280 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 738 total, 38 in this make and model, 775 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19960208014439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960208014439A), Feb 8, 1996: Amtr SKYHOPPER, Edgewood, NM, Substantial damage. On takeoff roll, tailwheel lifted veered left. Ran off on soft dirt, right main gear collapsed, wind hit ground. 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.