# NTSB GAA20CA087: Fisher FP 202 Koala, N47CV, Erwin, NC, November 14, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 14, 2019, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Erwin, NC - Coordinates: 35.380279, -78.732223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3803&lon=-78.7322&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 May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100605 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100605/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100605 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with vegetation. ## 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: [Riffee Danny D FISHER FP-202 KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056137I), [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: [Riffee Danny D FISHER FP-202 KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056137I), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Riffee Danny D FISHER FP-202 KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=056137I), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Riffee Danny D FISHER FP-202 KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=056137I), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Riffee Danny D FISHER FP-202 KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056137I), [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: [Riffee Danny D FISHER FP-202 KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056137I), [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: [Riffee Danny D FISHER FP-202 KOALA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056137I), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while taking off, the airplane bounced, veered right, exited the runway, and impacted vegetation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left 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, while taking off, the airplane bounced, veered right, exited the runway, and impacted vegetation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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, the wind was from 020° at 3 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 5. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47CV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47CV), registered now, S/N 08224, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fisher FP 202 KOALA - Registry model: [Riffee Danny D FISHER FP-202 KOALA](https://openairdocs.org/model/riffee-danny-d-fisher-fp-202-koala) (registry code 056137I) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 08224 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 215 - Engines: Volkswagen Type-1 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 30, 2019 - Departed: HRJ, Erwin, NC - Destination: HRJ, Erwin, NC - Airport: HRJ, Harnett Rgnl Jetport, runway 05, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2019; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 521 total, 76 in this make and model, 508 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KHRJ ## 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 20191114019299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191114019299A), Nov 14, 2019: Riffee Danny D FISHER FP-202 KOALA, Erwin, NC, Substantial damage. N47CV an experimental single seat airplane, attempted to depart runway 5 at hrj in VMC conditions. On the takeoff roll, as the tail wheel left the ground, it… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100605. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 833 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479564&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.