# NTSB FTW97LA082: John T. Garrett Baby Great Lakes, N1030G, El Paso, TX, January 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 14, 1997, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: El Paso, TX - Coordinates: 31.640846, -106.269187 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6408&lon=-106.2692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20144 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20144/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA082 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a normal run-up at the hold short line, he taxied onto the runway and lined up on centerline for takeoff. With the 'stick just forward of neutral, and maintaining directional control with rudders', he slowly added power and began his takeoff roll. As the tail wheel lifted off the ground, he 'went to full power (2,500 RPM).' Subsequently, the airplane began to slide sideways toward the left side of the runway, and just as flying airspeed was attained, the aircraft 'began to porpoise.' After departing the runway surface, the airplane struck a fence and a sand dune, coming to rest inverted. According to the pilot, the entire event took about 5-10 seconds, and the airplane traveled 500 feet. The pilot/owner reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On January 14, 1997, approximately 1230 central standard time, a Garrett Baby Great Lakes homebuilt experimental bi-plane (tail wheel), N1030G, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during take off, from West Texas Airport, El Paso, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant and owner, received minor injuries. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that after a normal run-up at the hold short line, he taxied onto the runway and lined up on centerline for take off. With the "stick just forward of neutral, and maintaining directional control with rudders", he slowly added power and began his take off roll. As the tail wheel lifted off the ground, he "went to full power (2,500 RPM)." Subsequently, the airplane began to slide sideways toward the left side of the runway, and just as flying airspeed was attained, the aircraft "began to porpoise." After departing the runway surface, the airplane struck a fence and a sand dune, coming to rest inverted. According to the pilot, the entire event took about 5-10 seconds, and the airplane traveled 500 feet. The pilot/owner reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft. The aircraft sustained structural damage to the upper and lower left wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1030G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1030G-1997-09-16), registration cancelled 1997-09-16, S/N 6523H13B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: John T. Garrett BABY GREAT LAKES (BABY GREAT) - Registry model: [Garrett John T BABY GREAT LAKES](https://openairdocs.org/model/garrett-john-t-baby-great-lakes) (registry code 3910258) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6523H-13-B - Airframe hours: 118 - Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John A. Russell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1997, 9 hours before - Departed: TX04 - Destination: 74R, SAN ANTONIO, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: TX04, West Texas, runway 26, 4,035 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,265 total, 9 in this make and model, 790 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970114000429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970114000429A), Jan 14, 1997: Amtrof BABYLAKES, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control of homebuilt on initial takeoff roll. Slid sideways porpoised struck fence and sand dune. Nosed over. (-23) lost control of a/c on takeoff, went… 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.