# NTSB GAA16CA131: Foxworthy Roy Christen Eagle, N960RF, Bell City, LA, February 14, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 14, 2016, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Bell City, LA
- Coordinates: 30.039167, -93.086387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0392&lon=-93.0864&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 May 3, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Baton Rouge FSDO (FAA)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92732/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92732
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA131

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over.

## 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05658NX), [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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05658NX), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05658NX), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: [Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05658NX), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05658NX), [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: [Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05658NX), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05658NX), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05658NX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped biplane reported that during takeoff he encountered an "unexpected wind gust." Subsequently, the airplane departed the grass runway to the left into "muddy" terrain. The pilot reported that he reduced the power to idle during the runway excursion, but the airplane sunk into the mud and nosed over. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the top left wing. About the time of the accident 8 nautical miles northwest of the destination airport, an automated weather observing system reported wind conditions of 170 degrees true at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped biplane reported that during takeoff he encountered an "unexpected wind gust." Subsequently, the airplane departed the grass runway to the left into "muddy" terrain. The pilot reported that he reduced the power to idle during the runway excursion, but the airplane sunk into the mud and nosed over. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the top left wing. About the time of the accident 8 nautical miles northwest of the destination airport, an automated weather observing system reported wind conditions of 170 degrees true at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N960RF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N960RF), registered now, S/N FOXWORTHY 0001, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FOXWORTHY ROY CHRISTEN EAGLE (II)
- Registry model: [Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II](https://openairdocs.org/model/foxworthy-roy-christen-eagle-ii) (registry code 05658NX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: FOXWORTHY 0001
- Year built: 1985
- Airframe hours: 241.3
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, September 12, 2015
- Departed: 52LA, Bell City, LA
- Destination: ORG, ORANGE, TX
- Airport: 52LA, Bruce Beard, runway 09, 2,650 × 90 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 22, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 837 total, 13 in this make and model, 765 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KLCH, 8 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 20160214002879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160214002879A), Feb 14, 2016: Foxworthy Roy CHRISTEN EAGLE II, Bell City, LA, Substantial damage. On takeoff roll, after pilot lifted tail, a gust of wind caused the airplane to skid to the left. The left main gear got caught in taller grass that caused…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92732. 2.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438271&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%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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