GAA15CA199

NTSB accident investigation · Norton Claude C Tailwind W8 · Portales, NM · July 26, 2015

Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
July 26, 2015, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
Place
Portales, NM
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N299CBNorton Claude C Tailwind W8
Defining event
Takeoff: Loss of control in flight
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report September 30, 2015
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20150726010809A
Case key
91636

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack while maneuvering and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

Findings · 5

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Aircraft capability: climb capabilityAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceededNorton Claude C TAILWIND - W8: 1 caseAll aircraft: 183 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: pitch controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceededNorton Claude C TAILWIND - W8: 1 caseAll aircraft: 526 casesProbable cause
Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitudeEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipmentNorton Claude C TAILWIND - W8: 1 caseAll aircraft: 278 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

During the takeoff roll with an air density altitude near 7,400 feet, the pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed normal with a bit longer requirement as expected for high temperatures conditions". The pilot reported that after takeoff the climb performance was "low". He stated that the wind shifted direction during the initial climb; he maneuvered the airplane into the wind, and to avoid power transmission line wires and a highway by "gradual right turning". While maneuvering, the airplane settled into a "mushing descent" and impacted terrain. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. During the impact with terrain the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage.

Factual narrative

During the takeoff roll with an air density altitude near 7,400 feet, the pilot reported that the takeoff roll "seemed normal with a bit longer requirement as expected for high temperatures conditions". The pilot reported that after takeoff the climb performance was "low". He stated that the wind shifted direction during the initial climb; he maneuvered the airplane into the wind, and to avoid power transmission line wires and a highway by "gradual right turning". While maneuvering, the airplane settled into a "mushing descent" and impacted terrain. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. During the impact with terrain the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported as a recommendation that "it is far better to engage the ground in somewhat of a controlled condition rather than to act with reactionary mismanagement of control inputs to the point of stalling and falling".

Aircraft

Registration
N299CB
Reported as
Norton Claude C Tailwind W8 (NO SERIES)
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
989
Built
2002
Airframe hours
210
Engine
Continental C-85-12F, 85 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Widener Glenn E; Carol A. Widener
Registered owner
Widener Glenn E; Carol A. Widener
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · March 10, 2015
Departed
PRZ · Portales, NM
Destination
CVN · Clovis, NM
Airport
PRZ · Portales Muni, runway 19, 5,700 × 60 ft, asphalt
Equipment
Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
70
Injuries
Minor
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
November 1, 2014
Seat
Right
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
6,280 total · 135 in this make and model · 5,480 as pilot in command

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
160° at 4 knots, gusting 18
Visibility
10 statute miles
Temperature
93 °F, dew point 57 °F
Altimeter
30.04 inHg
Observed at
KCVS, 15 nm away

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2015, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 4.6 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.