# NTSB GAA15CA199: Norton Claude C Tailwind W8, N299CB, Portales, NM, July 26, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2015, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Portales, NM - Coordinates: 34.145557, -103.410835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1456&lon=-103.4108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91636 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91636/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91636 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA199 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05607EO), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05607EO), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=05607EO), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05607EO), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=05607EO), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05607EO), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05607EO), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05607EO), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05607EO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N299CB), registered now, S/N 989, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTON CLAUDE C TAILWIND W8 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8](https://openairdocs.org/model/norton-claude-c-tailwind-w8) (registry code 05607EO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 989 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 210 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; 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 ## 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 20150726010809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150726010809A), Jul 26, 2015: Norton Claude C TAILWIND - W8, Portales, NM, Substantial damage. Airman miscalculated density altitude. Did engine run-up, departed after long take-off run, got airborne and slowly descended back to earth. Airman stated… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91636. 4.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Aircraft Damage Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 4 photos, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431758&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Damage%20Photographs-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.