# NTSB GAA16CA319: American AA 1, N5720L, Denton, MT, June 12, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 12, 2016, 07:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Denton, MT - Coordinates: 47.320835, -109.941947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3208&lon=-109.9419&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 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA319 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93397/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93397 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA319 ## Probable cause The pilot's premature rotation and failure to attain sufficient airspeed required for a sustained climb, resulting in a runway overrun and collision with a fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 1,682 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 315 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [American AA-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [American AA-1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American AA-1, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0630610), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll from a soft field turf runway, "I was not as aggressive as he should have been." He reported that the airspeed increased, the airplane began to rotate, but without enough airspeed to sustain climbing flight. He reported that he "pushed the nose over", the airplane settled to the runway and bounced. The airplane overran the end of the runway, struck a fence and sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with airframe, flight controls or the engine that would have prevented normal flight operations. According to the manufacturer pilot operating handbook, for Soft-Field Take-off: Hold full back pressure as you taxi and as the takeoff roll is begun. If the surface is marginal or too narrow for gradual turn on to the runway, align the airplane with the runway, apply full brakes, and build up takeoff RPM before starting the takeoff roll. As you apply full power, move the control wheel to neutral and allow the airplane to accelerate to 65-70 MPH. Lift off with a light back pressure. After lift-off release enough of this back pressure to permit the airplane to accelerate to its best angle- or rate of climb speed as required by obstructions. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll from a soft field turf runway, "I was not as aggressive as he should have been." He reported that the airspeed increased, the airplane began to rotate, but without enough airspeed to sustain climbing flight. He reported that he "pushed the nose over", the airplane settled to the runway and bounced. The airplane overran the end of the runway, struck a fence and sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with airframe, flight controls or the engine that would have prevented normal flight operations. According to the manufacturer pilot operating handbook, for Soft-Field Take-off: Hold full back pressure as you taxi and as the takeoff roll is begun. If the surface is marginal or too narrow for gradual turn on to the runway, align the airplane with the runway, apply full brakes, and build up takeoff RPM before starting the takeoff roll. As you apply full power, move the control wheel to neutral and allow the airplane to accelerate to 65-70 MPH. Lift off with a light back pressure. After lift-off release enough of this back pressure to permit the airplane to accelerate to its best angle- or rate of climb speed as required by obstructions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5720L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5720L), registered now, S/N AA1-0120, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN AA 1 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [American AA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-aa-1) (registry code 0630610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: AA1-0120 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 2792 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2J 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kh Aircraft LLC - Registered owner: Kh Aircraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2015 - Departed: 5U0, Denton, MT - Destination: 5U0, Denton, MT - Airport: 5U0, Denton, runway 27, 2,550 × 180 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review December 18, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 140.9 total, 80.6 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 4.6 in the last 90 days, 2.7 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KGTF, 59 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 20160612006019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160612006019A), Jun 12, 2016: American AA-1, Denton, MT, Substantial damage. On June 12, 2016 at approximately 0745, an American AA-1, sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings, propeller and fuselage when the aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93397. 2.4 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=40445410&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Manufacturer POH Soft-Field Takeoff Procedure (item 2, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445411&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Manufacturer%20POH%20Soft-Field%20Takeoff%20Procedure-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 290 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445412&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.