# NTSB GAA17CA011: Fuller Neil H Glasair SH 2, N724NF, Bellingham, WA, October 5, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 5, 2016, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Bellingham, WA
- Coordinates: 48.786666, -122.537498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7867&lon=-122.5375&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 February 6, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94172
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94172/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94172
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA011

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion.

## 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: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05655LR), [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: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05655LR), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05655LR), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=05655LR), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05655LR), [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: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05655LR), [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: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05655LR), [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: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05655LR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05655LR), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll in left crosswind conditions, the airplane drifted to the left and he applied full right rudder. He further reported that as he lifted his heels to use right brake to correct for the left drift, the airplane veered off the runway to the left. The pilot reduced power, the airplane impacted a runway sign, and both main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 7 minutes before the accident the wind was 290 degrees true at 8 knots. The airplane departed on runway 34.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll in left crosswind conditions, the airplane drifted to the left and he applied full right rudder. He further reported that as he lifted his heels to use right brake to correct for the left drift, the airplane veered off the runway to the left. The pilot reduced power, the airplane impacted a runway sign, and both main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 7 minutes before the accident the wind was 290 degrees true at 8 knots. The airplane departed on runway 34.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N724NF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N724NF-2018-03-29), registration cancelled 2018-03-29, S/N 251, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FULLER NEIL H GLASAIR SH 2
- Registry model: [Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/fuller-neil-h-glasair-sh-2) (registry code 05655LR) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 251
- Year built: 1984
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: BLI, Bellingham, WA
- Destination: 1RL, POINT ROBERTS, WA
- Airport: BLI, Bellingham Intl, runway 34, 6,701 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: KBLI

## 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 20161005019889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161005019889A), Oct 5, 2016: Fuller Neil H GLASAIR SH-2, Bellingham, WA, Substantial damage. Initiated twy e departure on rwy 34. Was observed to wobble during t.o. roll and lift off. Settled back to rwy 34. Aircraft angled to the left of center line.…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 18, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94172. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448354&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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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