# NTSB GAA17CA545: Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, N168BD, Elba, AL, September 2, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2017, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Elba, AL - Coordinates: 31.455833, -86.098335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4558&lon=-86.0983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95949 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA545 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95949/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95949 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA545 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the initial climb, which resulted in his decision to abort the takeoff and a subsequent hard landing. ## 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: [Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635FZ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05635FZ), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05635FZ), [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 · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05635FZ), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05635FZ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05635FZ), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05635FZ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05635FZ), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported in a written statement that, after a "successful pre-check," he initiated power for takeoff, and once airborne, "the plane was losing power enough that [the] plane would not clear [the] tree line at the end of the runway." He added that, about 10 ft above the runway, he aborted the takeoff by "throttling back" and made a hard landing on the grass runway. The pilot reported that during the landing, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid for about 50 ft on the runway before stopping. The left wing, fuselage, and engine mounts sustained substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector reported that, about 3 weeks after the accident, the pilot called him to add to his original statement. According to the inspector, the pilot reported that the engine was not losing power, he overreacted to the situation, and put the airplane back on the ground too quickly. The pilot further reported that the airplane did not gain altitude because he did not apply elevator input quickly enough to execute a proper takeoff. The pilot added that he rotated at the speed he normally does when he flies single pilot, but during this flight, he had one passenger on board. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report and did not return phone calls from the NTSB investigator-in-charge. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported in a written statement that, after a "successful pre-check," he initiated power for takeoff and once airborne, "the plane was losing power enough that [the] plane would not clear [the] tree line at the end of the runway." He added that, about 10 ft. above the runway, he aborted the takeoff by "throttling back" and made a hard landing on the grass runway. The pilot reported that during the landing, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid for about 50 ft. on the runway before stopping. The left wing, fuselage, and engine mounts sustained substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector reported that, about 3 weeks after the accident, the pilot called him to add to his original statement. According to the inspector, the pilot reported that the engine was not losing power, he overacted to the situation, and put the airplane back on the ground too quickly. The pilot further reported that, the airplane was not gaining altitude because he didn't give the input to the elevator at a fast enough rate to execute a proper takeoff. The FAA inspector added during a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, he rotated at the speed he normally does when single pilot, but during this flight he had one passenger on board. The pilot failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report and did not return the phone calls from the NTSB investigator-in-charge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N168BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N168BD-2019-11-01), registration cancelled 2019-11-01, S/N 4705G, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEDEAUX GARY G GN-1 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Dedeaux Gary G GN-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/dedeaux-gary-g-gn-1) (registry code 05635FZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85-12F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-12f) (registry code 17125, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 4705G - Year built: 2016 - Engines: Continental C85-12F 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: NONE, Elba, AL - Destination: NONE, Elba, AL - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,200 total, 71 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KLOR, 25 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 20170902011109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170902011109A), Sep 2, 2017: Dedeaux Gary G GN-1, Elba, AL, Substantial damage. On 9/2/2017 at around 0900 local a pilot and his passenger attempted to take off downhill at his family farms unapproved grass strip. The engine made power and… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95949. 867 KB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 207 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457825&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.