# NTSB GAA15CA260: Rocci Martignoni JA30 Superstol, N508RM, Santa Rosa, NM, September 11, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 11, 2015, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, NM
- Coordinates: 34.939167, -104.645835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9392&lon=-104.6458&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Albuquerque FSDO (FAA)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91986
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91986/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91986
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA260

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and a ground loop.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rocci Martignoni JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05634BS), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rocci Martignoni JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634BS), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Rocci Martignoni JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05634BS), [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: [Rocci Martignoni JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05634BS), [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: [Rocci Martignoni JA30 SUPERSTOL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05634BS), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff he "lost rudder control" and the airplane exited the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the airplane ground looped, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff he "lost rudder control" and the airplane exited the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the airplane ground looped, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N508RM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N508RM), registered now, S/N JA388-06-14 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCCI MARTIGNONI JA30 SUPERSTOL
- Registry model: [Rocci Martignoni JA30 SUPERSTOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/rocci-martignoni-ja30-superstol) (registry code 05634BS) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JA388-06-14
- Year built: 2015
- Airframe hours: 54
- Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 26, 2015
- Departed: SXU, Santa Rosa, NM
- Destination: SXU, Santa Rosa, NM
- Airport: SXU, Santa Rosa Route 66, runway 08, 4,294 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 8, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,704 total, 24 in this make and model
- Pilot-rated passenger; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,000 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.37 inHg
- Observed at: KLVS, 49 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 20150911015159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150911015159A), Sep 11, 2015: Rocci Martignoni JA30 SUPERSTOL, Santa Rosa, NM, Substantial damage. On September 11, 2015, at 0800 MDT, an experimental Rocci Martignoni JA30 superstol aircraft registration number N508RM, crashed after take-off while departing…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91986. 1.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 749 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433336&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Docket Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433337&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Docket%20Photo-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.

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