# NTSB GAA18CA482: Qac Quickie, N624JC, helena, MT, August 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 11, 2018, 12:03 local (18:03 UTC) - Place: helena, MT - Coordinates: 46.606666, -111.983329 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6067&lon=-111.9833&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 February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98046 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA482 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98046/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98046 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA482 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain yaw control and a proper descent rate during an aborted takeoff. ## 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: [Cheek John H JR Q-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05645YE), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cheek John H JR Q-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=05645YE), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cheek John H JR Q-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=05645YE), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cheek John H JR Q-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05645YE), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cheek John H JR Q-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05645YE), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cheek John H JR Q-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05645YE), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cheek John H JR Q-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05645YE), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cheek John H JR Q-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05645YE), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane drifted left. He corrected with right aileron and rudder, but the airplane continued left, and he decided to abort the takeoff. He then reduced the engine power, but the airplane landed hard and bounced, and both main wheels separated. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail cone. 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, shortly after takeoff, the airplane drifted left. He corrected with right aileron and rudder, but the airplane continued left and he decided to abort the takeoff. He then reduced the engine power, but the airplane landed hard, bounced and both main wheels separated. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail cone. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 350° at 3 knots. The pilot attempted to takeoff on runway 27. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N624JC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N624JC), registered now, S/N 2838 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Qac QUICKIE (Q2) - Registry model: [Cheek John H JR Q-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/cheek-john-h-jr-q-2) (registry code 05645YE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2838 - Year built: 1988 - Airframe hours: 189.5 - Engines: Suburu EJ 25 Turbo reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 5, 2017 - Departed: HLN, helena, MT - Destination: CXO, Houston, TX - Airport: HLN, Helena Rgnl, runway 27, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 550 total, 0 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KHLN, 1 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 20180811010939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180811010939A), Aug 11, 2018: Cheek John H Jr Q-2, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. On August 11, 2018 at approximately 1230 MDT (1830Z) a Cheek John H Jr Q-2 sustained substantial damage to the fusalage, prop and both left ant right landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98046. 971 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 823 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476635&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.