# NTSB GAA19CA560: Thomas Lee Nieuport 11, N1398, Rose Hill, KS, September 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 23, 2019, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Rose Hill, KS - Coordinates: 37.564723, -97.17472 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5647&lon=-97.1747&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 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100318 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA560 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100318/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100318 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA560 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with runway lights. ## 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: [Thomas Lee NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05627AC), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas Lee NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05627AC), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Thomas Lee NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=05627AC), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Thomas Lee NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05627AC), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Thomas Lee NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05627AC), [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: [Thomas Lee NIEUPORT 11, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05627AC), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff, he added power, and the biplane veered left, which he was unable to "check." The biplane veered off the runway to the left and impacted precision approach path indicator lights, spun 180°, and came to rest in grass adjacent to the runway. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that, during takeoff, he added power and the airplane veered left, which he was unable to "check." The airplane veered off the runway to the left and impacted the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights, spun 180°, and came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right wing. 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 5 miles to the northwest, reported that, about 5 minutes after the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot was departing runway 17. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1398](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1398-2020-10-03), registration cancelled 2020-10-03, S/N 1398, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: THOMAS LEE Nieuport 11 - Registry model: [Thomas Lee NIEUPORT 11](https://openairdocs.org/model/thomas-lee-nieuport-11) (registry code 05627AC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-145-B2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-145-b2) (registry code 42382, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1398 - Year built: 1988 - Airframe hours: 397.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-145-B2 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 26, 2019 - Departed: K50, Rose Hill, KS - Destination: K50, Rose Hill, KS - Airport: K50, Cook Airfield, runway 17, 3,472 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 1, 2019; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,460 total, 272 in this make and model, 3,460 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KIAB, 5 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 20190923015409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190923015409A), Sep 23, 2019: Thomas Lee NIEUPORT 11, Rose Hill, KS, Substantial damage. During the takeoff roll the pilot failed to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The aircraft departed the runway 190 feet from the beginning point of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100318. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478218&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.