# NTSB IAD01LA077: Garro Sonerai II, N79TG, Cortland, OH, July 6, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 2001, 19:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Cortland, OH - Coordinates: 41.329185, -80.719902 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3292&lon=-80.7199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 52662 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD01LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52662/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA077 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted take-off. A factor was the pilot's failure to obtain adequate take-off speed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot prepared for his first flight in the airplane by making several taxi runs up and down the runway. On take-off, the airplane became airborne half-way down the 2,700 foot long turf runway, but would not accelerate. The pilot did not look at the airspeed indicator when the airplane rotated off the runway. However, once airborne he reported that the airspeed indicator read about 60 knots, and that the manufacturer's recommended speed on climb-out was 75 knots. The pilot felt that he would not clear the 60 foot trees located off the end of the runway, and elected to abort the take-off. A videotape of the accident revealed that on take-off, when the airplane became airborne it flew just above the runway surface. It then bounced once on the main wheels, pitched up and began to climb. The airplane obtained a height of about 10-15 feet above the ground before it descended and landed off to the right side of the runway. Once on the ground, the airplane maneuvered back onto the runway. However, the airplane again went off the right side of the runway into an area of high grass, collided with a tree stump and nosed over. The pilot reported that the winds were calm and there were no mechanical deficiencies. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 2001, at 1940 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Sonerai II, N79TG, was substantially damaged during an aborted take-off from Allen Airport (8OI3), Cortland, Ohio. The certificated airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot purchased the airplane from a private owner, and had it stored at his residence for 2 1/2 years. This was his first flight in the airplane. In a written statement, he said: "Last Thursday we took the airplane to the airfield for my initial flight. On Friday we felt the plane was ready so I started the plane out onto the runway. I drove down the runway a few times to get the feel for the plane. I decided to try to take off. As I got about 15 feet up, the plane lost its climb rate. I felt I was not going to be able to clear the tree line at the end of the runway, so I decided to try and land into the brush. As I entered the brush the wing hit a stump and flipped the plane over." In a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that he taxied to the end of the west runway. At the end, he turned the airplane 180 degrees around and simultaneously applied power to overcome the uphill slope, and began the take-off roll. Halfway down the runway, the tail wheel came off the ground and the airplane became airborne. The pilot said he did not look at the airspeed indicator when the airplane rotated off the runway. Once airborne, the airplane would not accelerate, and the pilot stated that the airspeed indicator read 60 knots. He reported that the manufacturer's recommended airspeed was 75 knots on climb-out. The pilot felt that he would not clear the trees, and elected to abort the take-off. An Ohio State Highway Patrol officer asked the pilot why the airplane lost the climb rate. The pilot responded: "I think it needs a longer runway or a paved runway so more speed can be gained for take-off." The pilot's brother was at the airfield and observed the airplane take-off. In a written statement, he said: "I was standing on the field observing the plane take-off westbound. He seemed to have difficulty climbing and tried to land the plane. While trying to land, he came down too fast and lost control, which caused him to turn to the right. He struck some high grass, which caused the plane to flip." The pilot's brother also videotaped the airplane's take-off. Review of the videotape revealed that the airplane back-taxied to the end of the runway, and turned around 180 degrees in preparation for take-off. Shortly after, the propeller speed appeared to increase, and the airplane began its take-off roll. When the airplane became airborne, it flew just above the runway surface. The airplane then bounced on the main wheels, pitched up and began to climb. The airplane got about 10-15 feet above the ground, before it descended and landed off the right side of the runway. The airplane negotiated through a section of high grass, before it maneuvered back onto the runway. The airplane then went out of view and the tape stopped. However, after rescue personnel arrived, the pilot's brother began taping the recovery. This portion of the tape revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted in an area of high grass off to the right side of the runway. The turf runway was 2,700 feet long, 120 feet wide, and aligned east and west. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane on July 9, 2001. According to the inspector, the fuselage exhibited gashes on the bottom and sides of the cockpit, both main gears were buckled and twisted, and the right wing tip and leading edge had holes through the skin. The wooden propeller was also found severed. The pilot reported a total of 2,456 flight hours, and no flight time in make and model. He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79TG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79TG-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 00109, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GARRO SONERAI II - Registry model: [Garro Thomas D SONERAI II](https://openairdocs.org/model/garro-thomas-d-sonerai-ii) (registry code 05659G6) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 00109 - Airframe hours: 1015.6 - Engines: Volkswagen 1700CC 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald D. Welday - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 2000 - Departed: NONE, CORTLAND, OH - Airport: 8013, Allen Airport, runway 27, 2,700 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 2, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,465 total, 0 in this make and model, 2,465 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: YNG, 24 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 20010706017929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010706017929A), Jul 6, 2001: Amtr SONERAI, Cortland, OH, No damage. (.19) On July 6, 2001, at 1940 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Sonerai ii, N79TG, was substantially damaged during an aborted take-off from a private… ## Other investigations on N79TG (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI88DEP08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEP08), Aug 1, 1988: Monnett Sonerai II (N79TG), Wisc Rapids, WI, substantial damage 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.