# NTSB GAA17CA494: Aerotechnik L 13 SEH Vivat, N8230S, Moses Lake, WA, August 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 17, 2017, 15:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Moses Lake, WA - Coordinates: 47.141944, -119.237777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1419&lon=-119.2378&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95840 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA494 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95840/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95840 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA494 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper takeoff configuration due to his failure to follow the pretakeoff checklist, which resulted in a loss of lift and collision with obstacles. ## 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: [Aerotechnik L-13 SEH VIVAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0090100), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerotechnik L-13 SEH VIVAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=0090100), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerotechnik L-13 SEH VIVAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=0090100), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/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: [Aerotechnik L-13 SEH VIVAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0090100), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Aerotechnik L-13 SEH VIVAT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0090100), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aerotechnik L-13 SEH VIVAT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0090100), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the powered-glider pilot, during takeoff, he noticed a slower-than-usual acceleration but continued the departure. He reported that, "after lift-off, the glider exhibited a poor climb rate although the engine was running smooth." Moments later, the glider stopped climbing and then descended and struck the roof of a building located about 800 ft southwest of the departure end of the runway. The glider came to rest upright after colliding with another structure and was consumed by a postcrash fire. The pilot recalled that, during the startup sequence, he was "anxious to get back to my home base" and that he had not used the checklist. The pilot reported that he had taken off with the propeller in the cruise setting and the wing spoilers deployed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the powered-glider pilot, during takeoff he noticed a slower than usual acceleration, but continued the departure. He reported that, "after lift-off the glider exhibited a poor climb rate although the engine was running smooth." Moments later, the glider stopped climbing, then descended and struck the roof of a building located about 800ft southwest of the departure end of the runway. The glider came to rest upright, after colliding with another structure, and was consumed by a post-crash fire. The pilot recalled that during the startup sequence, he was, "anxious to get back to my home base" and that he had not used the checklist. The pilot reported that he had taken off with the propeller in the cruise setting and the wing spoilers deployed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8230S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8230S-2018-02-08), registration cancelled 2018-02-08, S/N 930504, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROTECHNIK L 13 SEH VIVAT (SEH) - Registry model: [Aerotechnik L-13 SEH VIVAT](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotechnik-l-13-seh-vivat) (registry code 0090100) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aerotecnik MIKRON III](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerotecnik-mikron-iii) (registry code 64203, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 930504 - Year built: 1993 - Airframe hours: 401.5 - Engines: AEROTECNIK MIKRON III 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 2016 - Departed: WA40, Moses Lake, WA - Destination: EAT, Wenatchee, WA - Airport: W20, Moses Lake Muni, runway 16, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 2, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,867 total, 0.1 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KMWH, 5 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 20170817010379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170817010379A), Aug 17, 2017: Aerotechnik L-13 SEH VIVAT, Moses Lake, WA, Destroyed. Pilot failed to use checklist, and did not retract divebrake/spoilers prior to take off. Aircraft was unable to climb with these devices deployed . Aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95840. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.