# NTSB GAA16CA088: Day William L Minicoupe, N853WD, Middle River, MD, December 20, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 20, 2015, 11:37 local (16:37 UTC) - Place: Middle River, MD - Coordinates: 39.323612, -76.411666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3236&lon=-76.4117&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 March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92489 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92489/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92489 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect installation of the rudder horn and failure to properly inspect the installation, which led to a loss of directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Empennage structure: rudder](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035540): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035540/cases.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035540/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Inspection: post maintenance inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Day William L MINICOUPE, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05619FV), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental amateur built airplane reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane veered to the left. As the airplane neared the left edge of the runway, the pilot rotated the airplane in an attempt to be come airborne, but the airplane aerodynamically stalled three feet above the runway and then impacted the runway nose first. The pilot reported that he performed a post-accident inspection of the airplane with the assistance of another pilot, and he discovered that he installed the rudder control horn upside down. The improper installation reversed the rudder control input. When right rudder input was needed during takeoff to overcome the airplane's left turning tendency precipitated by the engine and propeller, pushing on the right rudder pedal made the airplane turn left. The pilot recommended that he verify proper control connections after maintenance. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the experimental amateur built airplane reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane veered to the left. As the airplane neared the left edge of the runway, the pilot rotated the airplane in an attempt to be come airborne, but the airplane aerodynamically stalled three feet above the runway and then impacted the runway nose first. The pilot reported that he performed a post-accident inspection of the airplane with the assistance of another pilot, and he discovered that he installed the rudder control horn upside down. The improper installation reversed the rudder control input. When right rudder input was needed during takeoff to overcome the airplane's left turning tendency precipitated by the engine and propeller, pushing on the right rudder pedal made the airplane turn left. The pilot recommended that he verify proper control connections after maintenance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N853WD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N853WD-2016-04-25), registration cancelled 2016-04-25, S/N WD00001, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAY WILLIAM L MINICOUPE - Registry model: [Day William L MINICOUPE](https://openairdocs.org/model/day-william-l-minicoupe) (registry code 05619FV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: WD00001 - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Volkswagen 1915 CC 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 29, 2015 - Departed: MTN, Middle River, MD - Destination: MTN, Middle River, MD - Airport: MTN, Martin State, runway 33, 6,997 × 180 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 5, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 384 total, 292 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.59 inHg - Observed at: KMTN, 1 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 20151220022869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151220022869A), Dec 20, 2015: Day William L MINICOUPE, Martinstate, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot stated on take off, he lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft ran off the left side of the runway. The aircraft sustained structural damage. ## Other investigations on N853WD (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA14CA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA408), Aug 16, 2014: Day William L Minicoupe (N853WD), Baltimore, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/owner/builder's improper weight and balance calculations, which rendered the airplane uncontrollable in the pitch axis. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92489. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%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.