# NTSB GAA16CA146: Beech D17, N9290H, Brighton, CO, March 11, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2016, 08:25 local (14:25 UTC) - Place: Brighton, CO - Coordinates: 39.982776, -104.702224 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9828&lon=-104.7022&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: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92830/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92830 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA146 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the runway course during takeoff, resulting in the airplane drifting to the left and impacting a fence. A contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention during the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 227 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 5,010 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: [Beech D17S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1150538), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that shortly after the biplane lifted off the runway during takeoff, he diverted his attention and reached for the fuel selector which was located on the lower right wall of the cockpit. He further reported that the biplane drifted to the left of the runway and impacted a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper and lower right wings, and the fuselage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that shortly after the biplane lifted off the runway during takeoff, he diverted his attention and reached for the fuel selector which was located on the lower right wall of the cockpit. He further reported that the biplane drifted to the left of the runway and impacted a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper and lower right wings, and the fuselage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9290H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9290H), registered now, S/N 6726, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH D17 (S) - Registry model: [Beech D17S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d17s) (registry code 1150538) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6726 - Year built: 1944 - Airframe hours: 38467 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stephen E. Dyer - Registered owner: Delta Enterprise - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2015 - Departed: CO12, Brighton, CO - Destination: CO12, Brighton, CO - Airport: CO12, Van Aire, runway 12, 3,700 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 7, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,691 total, 433 in this make and model, 3,589 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KDEN, 9 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 20160311020109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160311020109A), Mar 11, 2016: Beech D17S, Brighton, CO, Substantial damage. N9290H: at 0745 the PIC serviced engine oil and pulled the aircraft out of the hanger located at Van Aire Airport (CO12). The PIC preflighted the aircraft and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92830. 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=40439445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 236 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439446&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.