# NTSB IAD04LA019: Krotje VM-1 Esqual, N626EA, Cambridge, OH, May 1, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 2004, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Cambridge, OH - Coordinates: 39.974998, -81.577774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9750&lon=-81.5778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59166 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD04LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59166/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04LA019 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the inadequate brake system installed on the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - inadequate (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - runway light - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot attempted a takeoff in the homebuilt airplane. During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, struck runway lights, and went into a creek. A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that it was equipped with a free-castoring nose wheel and motorcycle brakes. It was found that the left brake dragged due to a lack of clearance between the brake pad and brake rotor. The lack of clearance was attributable to the design of the brakes and their adaptation from a motorcycle to an airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 2004, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt VM-1 Esqual, N626EA, was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff from Cambridge Municipal Airport (CDI), Cambridge, Ohio. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he attempted to take off from runway 22. After he set the throttle to takeoff power, the airplane "started pulling abruptly to the left." The pilot applied "strong right rudder," in an effort to counteract the turning, but to no avail. The airplane then veered off the left side of the runway, struck runway lights, and went into a creek. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane after the accident and submitted a Service Difficulty Report (SDR). According to the report, the airplane was equipped with a free-castoring nose landing gear and was configured to use motorcycle brakes on the main landing gear. A post-accident examination of the brakes revealed that the right brake operated normally; however, the left brake dragged due to a lack of clearance between the brake pad and the brake rotor. The lack of clearance was attributable to the design of the brakes and their adaptation from a motorcycle to an airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N626EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N626EA-2007-07-20), registration cancelled 2007-07-20, S/N E180032, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Krotje VM-1 Esqual - Registry model: [Krotje Peter R VM-1 ESQUAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/krotje-peter-r-vm-1-esqual) (registry code 05615CP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: E180032 - Airframe hours: 138.4 - Engines: Jabiru 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 2004, 14.6 hours before - Departed: CDI, Cambridge, OH - Destination: PHD, New Philadelphi, OH - Airport: CDI, Cambridge Municipal Airport, runway 22, 4,298 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 27, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 519 total, 9 in this make and model, 519 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ZZV, 15 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 20040501008759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040501008759A), May 1, 2004: Amtr VM1ESQUAL, Cambridge, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot related that on 5/1/04, during a takeoff roll, the aircraft veered to the left hitting a runway light then it went over some terrain and ended… 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.