# NTSB GAA18CA379: Dan Jelinek Backcountry Supercub, N7455, Douglas, WY, June 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2018, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Douglas, WY - Coordinates: 42.74472, -105.403335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7447&lon=-105.4033&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 March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97611 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA379 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97611/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97611 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA379 ## Probable cause The pilot’s overcorrection with rudder during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dan Jelinek BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05636G9), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dan Jelinek BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=05636G9), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dan Jelinek BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05636G9), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Dan Jelinek BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05636G9), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dan Jelinek BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05636G9), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Dan Jelinek BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05636G9), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a private, grass airstrip, the trim was not correctly adjusted. The airplane became airborne prematurely and then settled back onto the airstrip. The pilot applied too much right rudder and brake, and the airplane veered right. The airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff on a private, grass airstrip, the trim was not correctly adjusted. The airplane became airborne prematurely and then settled back onto the airstrip. The pilot applied too much right rudder and brake and the airplane veered to the right. The airplane ground looped to the left and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7455](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7455), registered now, S/N BC21116R013, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DAN JELINEK BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Dan Jelinek BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB](https://openairdocs.org/model/dan-jelinek-backcountry-supercub) (registry code 05636G9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming YIO-390 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-yio-390-series) (registry code 42418, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: BC21116R013 - Year built: 2017 - Engines: Superior IO-400-XP 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 7, 2017 - Departed: CDR, Chadron, NE - Destination: PVT, Douglas, WY - Airport: PVT, Private, runway SE, 1,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2016; seat: front; flight hours: 900 total, 45 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KDGW, 3 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 20180611007589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180611007589A), Jun 11, 2018: Dan Jelinek BACKCOUNTRY SUPERCUB, Douglas, WY, Substantial damage. Trim not set for takeoff ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97611. 993 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467057&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.