# NTSB GAA20CA053: Zenair CH701, N102PH, Salem, OR, November 1, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 1, 2019, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Salem, OR - Coordinates: 44.909442, -123.002502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9094&lon=-123.0025&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 June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100528 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100528/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100528 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to make his first flight in an airplane he unfamiliar with before waiting for calm winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hatfield Patrick L CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05637OF), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hatfield Patrick L CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05637OF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hatfield Patrick L CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05637OF), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hatfield Patrick L CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05637OF), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Hatfield Patrick L CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05637OF), [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: [Hatfield Patrick L CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05637OF), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hatfield Patrick L CH701, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05637OF), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while taking off, the airplane "suddenly jumped" up about 30 ft with a nose-high attitude and rolled right. He corrected by applying left and forward inputs on the flight controls. The airplane then rolled left. Attempting to level the wings, he reduced power, and the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot further reported that it was his first flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane and that he should have waited for calm winds before trying a first flight in an unfamiliar airplane. 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 taking off, the airplane, "suddenly jumped" about 30 ft into the air with a nose high attitude and rolled to the right. He corrected by, applying left and forward input on the flight controls. The airplane then rolled to the left. Attempting to level the wings, he reduced power and the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot further reported that, it was his first flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane and should have waited for calm winds before trying first flight in unfamiliar aircraft. 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. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, accident, the wind was from 360° at 12 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 34. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N102PH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N102PH), registered now, S/N 7-8890, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENAIR CH701 - Registry model: [Hatfield Patrick L CH701](https://openairdocs.org/model/hatfield-patrick-l-ch701) (registry code 05637OF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-8890 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 0 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 27, 2019 - Departed: SLE, Salem, OR - Destination: SLE, Salem, OR - Airport: SLE, Mcnary Fld, runway 34, 5,146 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 22, 2019; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 280 as pilot in command, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KSLE ## 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 20191101023269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191101023269A), Nov 1, 2019: Hatfield Patrick L CH701, Salem, OR, Substantial damage. On Friday, November 1, 2019, a zenith CH701, registered as N102PH, serial number 7-8890, was involved in an accident at Mcnary Field Airport (ksle) in Salem,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100528. 892 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 483 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Damage Photos (item 3, .PDF, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%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.