# NTSB GAA17CA020: Remos Remos GX, N27GX, Lowell, AR, October 11, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2016, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Lowell, AR - Coordinates: 36.133609, -94.155555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1336&lon=-94.1556&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94198 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94198/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94198 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA020 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off with a prevailing tailwind and insufficient distance to ensure obstacle clearance, which resulted in a collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Remos REMOS GX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=060005Q), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Remos REMOS GX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=060005Q), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Remos REMOS GX, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=060005Q), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Remos REMOS GX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=060005Q), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Remos REMOS GX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=060005Q), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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: [Remos REMOS GX, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=060005Q), [All aircraft, 5,002 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: [Remos REMOS GX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060005Q), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he performed three off-airport, soft-field landings and was landing in a southerly direction. He added that, after the third landing, he turned the aircraft around and took off to the north, "because of all the tall trees on the south end of the strip." He remarked that the wind was calm on the ground but that, during his takeoff climb, he encountered "wind shear and my airspeed dropped from 50 kts to 30 kts." He recalled that the airplane struck a tree, descended, and impacted terrain. According to the nearest METAR from an aerodrome located about 3 miles northeast of the accident site, the wind about the time of the accident was from 210° at 13 kts. The METAR indicated that the prevailing wind throughout the day was a southerly wind. According to the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, "Takeoff Performance," pages 10-14, paragraph 5: The effect of wind on takeoff distance is large, and proper consideration also must be provided when predicting takeoff distance. The effect of a headwind is to allow the aircraft to reach the lift-off speed at a lower groundspeed while the effect of a tailwind is to require the aircraft to achieve a greater groundspeed to attain the lift-off speed. A headwind that is 10 percent of the takeoff airspeed will reduce the takeoff distance approximately 19 percent. However, a tailwind that is 10 percent of the takeoff airspeed will increase the takeoff distance approximately 21 percent. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he performed three off airport, soft field landings, in a field and that he was landing in a southerly direction. He added that after the third landing, he turned the aircraft around and took off to the north, "because of all the tall trees on the south end of the strip". He remarked that the wind was calm on the ground, but during his takeoff climb he encountered "wind shear and my airspeed dropped from 50 kts. to 30 kts.". He recalled that the airplane struck a tree, descended, and impacted terrain. According to the nearest Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METAR) from an aerodrome located about three miles northeast of the accident site, the wind about the time of the accident was 210° at 13kts. The METAR revealed that the prevailing wind throughout the day was a southerly wind. According to the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, specifically the section on Takeoff Performance, pg. 10-14, para. 5: The effect of wind on takeoff distance is large, and proper consideration also must be provided when predicting takeoff distance. The effect of a headwind is to allow the aircraft to reach the lift-off speed at a lower groundspeed while the effect of a tailwind is to require the aircraft to achieve a greater groundspeed to attain the lift-off speed. A headwind that is 10 percent of the takeoff airspeed will reduce the takeoff distance approximately 19 percent. However, a tailwind that is 10 percent of the takeoff airspeed will increase the takeoff distance approximately 21 percent. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27GX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27GX-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 264, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: REMOS AIRCRAFT GMBH REMOS GX (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Remos REMOS GX](https://openairdocs.org/model/remos-remos-gx) (registry code 060005Q) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 264 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 696.5 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Adventure Flight Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Adventure Flight Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, December 6, 2015 - Departed: ASG, Springdale, AR - Destination: ASG, Springdale, AR - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 3, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,500 total, 900 in this make and model, 6,100 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KASG, 3 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 20161011017619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161011017619A), Oct 11, 2016: Remos Aircraft Gmbh REMOS GX, Lowell, AR, Substantial damage. On October 11, 2016 at approximately 1400 central standard time, a 2008 Remos gmbh light sport airplane, N27GX impacted the terrain at Circle S Farms which is… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94198. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453103&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.