# NTSB GAA18CA105: Golden Circle Air T Bird II, N5619Z, Wiscassett, ME, December 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 17, 2017, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Wiscassett, ME - Coordinates: 44.693599, -69.38134 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6936&lon=-69.3813&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96617/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96617 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA105 ## 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. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Golden Circle Air T-BIRD II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901WD), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Golden Circle Air T-BIRD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05901WD), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Golden Circle Air T-BIRD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=05901WD), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/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: [Golden Circle Air T-BIRD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05901WD), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Golden Circle Air T-BIRD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05901WD), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Golden Circle Air T-BIRD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05901WD), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped, experimental airplane, the airplane bounced to the left side of the runway during the takeoff roll. He thought that the airplane would "straighten itself out"; however, the airplane's tail lifted, and the airplane continued to the left. The left main landing gear impacted a snowbank, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest in the safety area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 4kts and the sky was clear. 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 tailwheel-equipped, experimental airplane, the airplane bounced to the left side of the runway during the takeoff roll. He thought that the airplane would "straighten itself out", however, the airplane's tail lifted, and the airplane continued to the left. The left main landing gear impacted a snowbank, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The airplane came to rest in the safety area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The METAR at the accident airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 4kts and the sky was clear. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5619Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5619Z-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N 001, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GOLDEN CIRCLE AIR T BIRD II (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Golden Circle Air T-BIRD II](https://openairdocs.org/model/golden-circle-air-t-bird-ii) (registry code 05901WD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 1996 - Engines: ROTAX 582DCDI 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: IWI, Wiscassett, ME - Destination: IWI, Wiscassett, ME - Airport: IWI, Wiscasset, runway 25, 3,397 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review March 21, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,186.5 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,070 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KIWI ## 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 20171217024299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171217024299A), Dec 17, 2017: Golden Circle Air T-BIRD II, Wiscasset, ME, Substantial damage. At Wiscasset municipal airport (iwi), Wiscasset Maine on 12-17-2017 at about 2:40PM, N5619Z with just the pilot on board was taking off. The pilot stated that… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96617. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463179&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463180&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463181&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.