# NTSB GAA19CA416: Thomas Wild Avid, N987TW, York, SC, July 15, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 15, 2019, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: York, SC - Coordinates: 35.029167, -81.252502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0292&lon=-81.2525&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99846 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA416 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99846/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99846 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA416 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent reduction of power during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the pilot’s inadvertent reduction of power was his lack of experience with his left hand on the control stick and right hand on the throttle. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas Wild AVID MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=056326Y), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas Wild AVID MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=056326Y), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas Wild AVID MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=056326Y), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas Wild AVID MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=056326Y), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Thomas Wild AVID MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056326Y), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Thomas Wild AVID MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056326Y), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Thomas Wild AVID MARK IV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056326Y), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was transitioning to a new airplane. He stated that, during takeoff, it was the first time with his left hand on the control stick and right hand on the throttle. About 10 ft above the runway, he intended to pitch the nose up to initiate a climb. However, he inadvertently pulled back on the throttle control with his right hand. The airspeed decreased, the left wing aerodynamically stalled, and the airplane impacted an adjacent corn field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. 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 reported that, while transitioning to a new airplane, during takeoff for the first time with his left hand on the control stick and the right hand on the throttle, about 10 ft above the runway, he intended to pitch the nose up to initiate a climb. However, he inadvertently pulled back on the throttle control with his right hand. The airplane's airspeed decreased, the left wing aerodynamically stalled, and the airplane impacted an adjacent corn field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N987TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N987TW-2019-09-26), registration cancelled 2019-09-26, S/N 001412, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Thomas Wild AVID - Registry model: [Thomas Wild AVID MARK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-wild-avid-mark-iv) (registry code 056326Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001412 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 41 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 2019 - Departed: 01SC, York, SC - Destination: 01SC, York, SC - Airport: 01SC, York, runway 36, 2,580 × 118 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 3, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,400 total, 1 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 5.1 in the last 90 days, 5.1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KUZA, 10 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 20190715011799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190715011799A), Jul 15, 2019: Thomas Wild AVID MARK IV, York, SC, Destroyed. N987TW was taking off from a grass strip and during climb out the aircraft stalled and veered left and crashed in a cornfield adjacent to the grass strip. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99846. 857 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475617&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.