# NTSB GAA18CA242: Seno Louis C SR KIS, N66SK, Eagle Lake, TX, April 29, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 29, 2018, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Eagle Lake, TX - Coordinates: 29.600555, -96.321945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6006&lon=-96.3219&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97138 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97138/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97138 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA242 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting 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: [Seno Louis C SR KIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056201W), [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: [Seno Louis C SR KIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056201W), [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; cases with it: [Seno Louis C SR KIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=056201W), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: [Seno Louis C SR KIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=056201W), [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) (defining event); cases with it: [Seno Louis C SR KIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056201W), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Seno Louis C SR KIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056201W), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Seno Louis C SR KIS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056201W), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a left crosswind gust, and the right wing struck the grass on the right side of the runway. The airplane pivoted about the right wing, and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were 12-knot wind gusts about the time of the accident. The METAR nearest the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 6 knots, gusting to 13 knots. The takeoff roll was initiated on runway 17. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a left crosswind gust and the right wing struck the grass on the right side of the runway. The airplane pivoted about the right wing and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were 12 knot wind gusts about the time of the accident. The METAR nearest the accident site reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 140° at 6 knots, gusting to 13 knots. The takeoff roll was initiated on runway 17. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66SK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66SK-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 021, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SENO LOUIS C SR KIS (TR-1) - Registry model: [Seno Louis C SR KIS](https://openairdocs.org/model/seno-louis-c-sr-kis) (registry code 056201W) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 021 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 350 - Engines: 118 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2018 - Departed: ELA, Eagle Lake, TX - Destination: ELA, Eagle Lake, TX - Airport: ELA, Eagle Lake, runway 17, 3,801 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: without waivers/limitations; seat: left - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2018; seat: right; flight hours: 500 total, 36 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots, gusting 13 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KTME, 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 20180429004339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180429004339A), Apr 29, 2018: Seno Louis C Sr KIS, Eagle Lake, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot reported as he lifted off from Eagle Lake, TX airport runway 17 he lost control (due to a gust of wind) and veered off the runway to the right side where… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97138. 3.6 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=40466301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466302&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.