# NTSB GAA17CA297: CGS Hawk, Findlay, OH, May 18, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 17, 2017, 20:35 local (May 18, 2017, 00:35 UTC) - Place: Findlay, OH - Coordinates: 41.034999, -83.570274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0350&lon=-83.5703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95215 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA297 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95215/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95215 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA297 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## 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: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/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); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the "wind got more gusty than [he] could handle being too low and slow." The airplane aerodynamically stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 5 nautical miles west of the accident airport revealed that, about 42 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 200° at 18 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The takeoff direction is unknown. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the "wind got more gusty than [he] could handle being too low and slow". The airplane aerodynamically stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 5 nautical miles west of the accident airport reported that, about 42 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 200° at 18 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The takeoff direction is unknown. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CGS HAWK - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: Unknown - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 400 - Engines: Rotax 503 45 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: Unknown, March 1, 2017 - Departed: 9OH6, Findlay, OH - Destination: 9OH6, Findlay, OH - Airport: 9OH6, Weaver, runway unkn, 2,200 × 70 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,100 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 18 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KFDY, 5 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95215. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457845&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 390 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457849&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. --- 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.