# NTSB GAA17CA435: Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey Lancair 235, N91JG, Denison, TX, July 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2017, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Denison, TX - Coordinates: 33.713611, -96.673057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7136&lon=-96.6731&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 October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95650 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA435 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95650/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95650 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA435 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## 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: [Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05616N8), [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: [Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05616N8), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Training: initial instruct/training](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031515): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031515/cases.md?model=05616N8), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031515/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05616N8), [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: [Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05616N8), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05616N8), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey LANCAIR 235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05616N8), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that he was unfamiliar with the airplane and that, during a prepurchase flight, he was accompanied by an aircraft mechanic/pilot familiar with the airplane. The mechanic, seated in the right seat, instructed him to anticipate adding right rudder when increasing power during takeoff. During takeoff, the pilot applied right rudder; however, he reported that, once full power was applied, the airplane continued to veer to the left. The pilot added that he and the mechanic verbally communicated that they "both were applying right rudder and simultaneous aileron." The pilot then pulled the mixture control to shut off the engine; however, the airplane continued off the left side of the runway. The pilot heard a loud "pop," and the airplane then veered to the right, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest off the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rudder. The pilot reported that he believed a "mechanical" failure caused the airplane to not respond to inputs from the right rudder, right brake, and right aileron and that the left brake or bearing seized, causing enough friction to overcome the control inputs. The mechanic stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the mechanic, the airplane was not equipped with rudder/brake pedals on the right side, and before the flight, the pilot had used the brakes effectively to taxi for takeoff. He further stated, "all brakes were in good shape, and everything was in good operational condition." The automated weather observation system on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 7 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 17L. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that, he was unfamiliar with the airplane, and that during a pre-purchase flight, he was accompanied by an aircraft mechanic/pilot familiar with the airplane. The mechanic, seated in the right seat, instructed him to anticipate adding right rudder when increasing power during takeoff. During takeoff, the pilot applied right rudder; however, he reported that once full power was applied the airplane continued to veer to the left. The pilot added that, there was a verbal communication shared between the two pilots that they "both were applying right rudder and simultaneous aileron." The pilot then pulled the mixture control to shutoff the engine, however, the airplane continued off the left side of the runway, he heard a loud "pop," the airplane then veered to the right, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest off the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rudder. The pilot reported that he believed there was a "mechanical" failure, causing the airplane to not respond to inputs from the right rudder, right brake, and right aileron; and that the left brake or bearing seized causing enough friction to overcome the control inputs. According to the mechanic, the airplane was not equipped with rudder/brake pedals on the right side, and that prior to the flight the pilot had used the brakes effectively to taxi for takeoff. He further stated, "all brakes were in good shape, and everything was in good operational condition." The mechanic added that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system on the accident airport reported, that about the time of the accident, the wind was 190° at 7 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 17L. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91JG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91JG-2019-01-25), registration cancelled 2019-01-25, S/N 090 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GILBERT THOMAS JEFFREY LANCAIR 235 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey LANCAIR 235](https://openairdocs.org/model/gilbert-thomas-jeffrey-lancair-235) (registry code 05616N8) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 090 - Year built: 1990 - Airframe hours: 327 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: GYI, Denison, TX - Destination: GYI, Denison, TX - Airport: GYI, North Texas Rgnl/Perrin Field, runway 17L, 9,000 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,405 total, 1,672 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Check pilot; injuries: none; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2; seat: right; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KGYI ## 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 20170722010719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170722010719A), Jul 22, 2017: Gilbert Thomas Jeffrey LANCAIR 235, Denison, TX, Substantial damage. During takeoff roll, pilot failed to maintain aircraft control on the runway. Aircraft departed the east side of the runway pavement and snapped off the right… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95650. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 971 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 687 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-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.