# NTSB GAA18CA083: Michael Adamczyk Zenith CH750, N750AD, Franklin, PA, December 9, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 9, 2017, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Franklin, PA - Coordinates: 41.377498, -79.860557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3775&lon=-79.8606&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 September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96470 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96470/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96470 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA083 ## Probable cause The pilot’s excessive application of aft stick during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to this accident was the pilot’s inexperience in the airplane. ## 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: [Michael Adamczyk ZENITH CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635OB), [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: [Michael Adamczyk ZENITH CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05635OB), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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: [Michael Adamczyk ZENITH CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05635OB), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Michael Adamczyk ZENITH CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05635OB), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Michael Adamczyk ZENITH CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=05635OB), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Michael Adamczyk ZENITH CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05635OB), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Michael Adamczyk ZENITH CH750, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=05635OB), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the experimental amateur-built airplane, he was conducting a flight test. During the takeoff roll, he applied "too much aft stick," and the airplane entered an unintentional steep climb at a low airspeed. The airplane rolled left about 30°, he corrected to the right, and the airplane's nose dropped. The pilot further reported that he may have reduced the throttle and overcorrected to the right. The airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that this was his second flight in the accident airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the experimental amateur-built airplane, he was conducting a flight test. During the takeoff roll, he applied "too much aft stick," and the airplane entered an unintentional steep climb at a low airspeed. The airplane rolled left about 30°, he corrected to the right and the airplane's nose dropped. The pilot further reported that he may have reduced the throttle and overcorrected to the right. The airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that this was his second flight in the accident airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N750AD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N750AD), registered now, S/N 75-8235, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MICHAEL ADAMCZYK ZENITH CH750 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Michael Adamczyk ZENITH CH750](https://openairdocs.org/model/michael-adamczyk-zenith-ch750) (registry code 05635OB) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 75-8235 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 0.5 - Engines: UL Power Aero UL350iS 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 24, 2017 - Departed: FKL, Franklin, PA - Destination: FKL, Franklin, PA - Airport: FKL, Venango Rgnl, runway 21, 5,200 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 11, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 56 total, 8 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: KFKL ## 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 20171209022909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171209022909A), Dec 9, 2017: Zenith CH750, Franklin, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he had rotated too early during takeoff at a fairly steep attitude. A crosswind gust blew the aircraft left of the center line. The pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96470. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464726&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464727&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20FAA%20Inspector-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.