# NTSB GAA17CA567: Chancey Gerry M RV-12, N1214J, Dunkirk, NY, September 6, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 6, 2017, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Dunkirk, NY - Coordinates: 42.493888, -79.27111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4939&lon=-79.2711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96124 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA567 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96124/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96124 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA567 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral/bank control during takeoff in crosswind conditions. ## 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: [Santee John R RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05628GG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Santee John R RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05628GG), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Santee John R RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=05628GG), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Santee John R RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05628GG), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Santee John R RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05628GG), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Santee John R RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05628GG), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Santee John R RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05628GG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, immediately after takeoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust, and the right wing dipped. Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the right, and the right wing impacted terrain and a taxiway sign. He added that he "lost control during takeoff." The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the airport reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 270° at 10 knots. The pilot reported the takeoff was from runway 33. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. ## Factual narrative During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, immediately after takeoff, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and the right wing dipped. Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the right and the right wing impacted terrain and a taxiway sign. He added that he "lost control during takeoff." The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported wind from 270° at 10 knots. The pilot reported the takeoff was on runway 33. The pilot failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1214J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1214J-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N 120054, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHANCEY GERRY M RV-12 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Santee John R RV-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/santee-john-r-rv-12) (registry code 05628GG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 120054 - Year built: 2011 - Engines: Rotax reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: DKK, Dunkirk, NY - Destination: DKK, Dunkirk, NY - Airport: DKK, Chautauqua County/Dunkirk, runway 33, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KDKK ## 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 20170906017639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170906017639A), Sep 6, 2017: Santee John R RV-12, Dunkirk, NY, Substantial damage. On takeoff from runway 24 just after rotation the aircrfaft impacted the runway. All three landing gear collapsed and the aircraft slid through the grass on… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96124. 189 KB in all. - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 1, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.