# NTSB GAA18CA236: L-Bird CCX-2000, N844FC, Hood River, OR, April 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2018, 10:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Hood River, OR - Coordinates: 45.672779, -121.533889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6728&lon=-121.5339&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97125/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97125 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA236 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff, the experimental, amateur-built airplane encountered a right crosswind. The pilot applied right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane rolled to the left. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The left wing struck a runway light, and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mounts. The METAR at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 9 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The wind direction was reported as variable between 230° and 320°. The pilot attempted to take off from runway 25. In the recommendation section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented by choosing to cancel the flight due to high-wind conditions. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff, the experimental amateur-built airplane encountered a right crosswind. The pilot applied right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane rolled to the left. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The left wing struck a runway light and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mounts. The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 9 knots and gusting to 22 knots. The wind direction was reported as variable between 230° and 320°. The pilot attempted to takeoff on runway 25. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the Recommendation section the pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented by making the choice to cancel the flight due to high wind conditions. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N844FC (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: L-BIRD LLC CCX-2000 (NO SERIES) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CCX-2000-0016 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 62.7 - Engines: Superior/Aero Sport Power CC363i-1001 186 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: L-Bird LLC - Registered owner: L-Bird LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 28, 2017 - Departed: 4S2, Hood River, OR - Destination: 4S2, Hood River, OR - Airport: 4S2, Ken Jernstedt Airfield, runway 25, 3,040 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 9, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,250 total, 7 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: K4S2 ## 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 20180427004229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180427004229A), Apr 27, 2018: 2017 L-Bird LLC CCX-2000, Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot with passenger entered runway 25 at south midfield taxiway and stopped with nose about 15 degrees north of runway to reduce crosswind effect during… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97125. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 197 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466277&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.