# NTSB GAA15CA253: Air Creation USA Skypper, N534AC, Stow, MA, August 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2015, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Stow, MA - Coordinates: 42.460556, -71.517776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4606&lon=-71.5178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91948/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91948 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA253 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper directional control inputs during the takeoff roll, resulting in a roll over and collision with terrain. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Creation USA SKYPPER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060009D), [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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Air Creation USA SKYPPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060009D), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Training: recurrent instruct/training](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031520): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Air Creation USA SKYPPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031520/cases.md?model=060009D), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031520/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 control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Air Creation USA SKYPPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=060009D), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) (defining event); cases with it: [Air Creation USA SKYPPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=060009D), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Air Creation USA SKYPPER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=060009D), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor in the weight shift control aircraft reported that during the takeoff roll on an asphalt runway, the pilot receiving instruction over-controlled the steering pedals and the aircraft tipped over. The instructor stated that the accident sequence occurred instantly and that he did not have time to apply corrective measures. The weight shift control aircraft sustained substantial damage to the keel, control frame, and leading edge tube. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor in the weight shift control aircraft reported that during the takeoff roll on an asphalt runway, the pilot receiving instruction over-controlled the steering pedals and the aircraft tipped over. The instructor stated that the accident sequence occurred instantly and that he did not have time to apply corrective measures. The weight shift control aircraft sustained substantial damage to the keel, control frame, and leading edge tube. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N534AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N534AC), registered now, S/N T14018, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIR CREATION USA LLC SKYPPER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Air Creation USA SKYPPER](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-creation-usa-skypper) (registry code 060009D) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls2) (registry code 55599, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: T14018 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 160 - Engines: Rotax ULS/912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Air America - Registered owner: Air America - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 14, 2015, 20 hours before - Departed: 8MA4, Stow, MA - Destination: 6B6, Stow, MA - Airport: 6B6, Minute Man Air Field, runway 21, 2,770 × 48 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 27, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,500 total, 2 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days - Flight instructor; age 68; injuries: minor; flight engineer, sport pilot, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2014; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 23,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KFIT, 12 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 20150829014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150829014559A), Aug 29, 2015: Air Creation USA LLC SKYPPER, Stow, MA, Substantial damage. On August 29, 2015 at approximately 1900 local N534AC, a 2014 Air Creation USA LLC Skypper was involved in an accident at the minute man airport in Stow, MA.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91948. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, CFI (item 2, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434176&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20CFI-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 283 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434177&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.