# NTSB GAA15CA014: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 Eaglet, N731HG, Cambridge, MD, March 19, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 19, 2015, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Cambridge, MD
- Coordinates: 38.541389, -76.032501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5414&lon=-76.0325&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 May 13, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90910/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90910
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA014

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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 visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600045), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During a cross country flight, the sport pilot attempted a soft field takeoff at an intermediate stop on the flight. On the takeoff roll the pilot applied full power and pulled the flight controls full aft. Subsequently, the nose pitched up, the pilot lost forward vision, and the airplane began drifting to the left. As the takeoff roll continued the pilot lost directional control and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. During the runway excursion, the airplane rolled downward into a ditch and came to rest after the propeller struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and winds were calm at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

During a cross country flight, the sport pilot attempted a soft field takeoff at an intermediate stop on the flight. On the takeoff roll the pilot applied full power and pulled the flight controls full aft. Subsequently, the nose pitched up, the pilot lost forward vision, and the airplane began drifting to the left. As the takeoff roll continued the pilot lost directional control and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. During the runway excursion, the airplane rolled downward into a ditch and came to rest after the propeller struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and winds were calm at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731HG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N731HG), registered now, S/N 1208, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P92 EAGLET (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET](https://openairdocs.org/model/costruzioni-aeronautiche-tecna-p92-eaglet) (registry code 0600045) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1208
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 1141.7
- Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chesapeake Sport Pilot
- Registered owner: Pt Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 11, 2015
- Departed: RJD, RIDGELY, MD
- Destination: CGE, Cambridge, MD
- Airport: CGE, Cambridge-Dorchester, runway 34, 4,477 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 148 total, 129 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: CGE

## 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 20150319003209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150319003209A), Mar 19, 2015: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 EAGLET, Easton, MD, Substantial damage. Sport pilot [privacy data omitted] was practicing takeoff and landings in preparation for testing for her private pilot certificate. She attempted to conduct a…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90910. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425777&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425778&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector – 2) (item 4, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425779&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector%20%E2%80%93%202)-Master.PDF
- Weather Information - KCGE (item 5, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information%20-%20KCGE-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – Door and Wing Strut (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 470 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Door%20and%20Wing%20Strut%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – Right Wing and Trailing Edge (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425782&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Wing%20and%20Trailing%20Edge%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.