# NTSB LAX01LA086: Storey MK 7, N1296, Marana, AZ, February 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 4, 2001, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Marana, AZ - Coordinates: 32.426944, -111.389442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4269&lon=-111.3894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 51432 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51432/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA086 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation with regards to runway choice, terrain, and performance capabilities of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command - wrong runway - used, pilot in command - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - other - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis During a forced landing from the initial climb after takeoff, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that the available runway had an upslope gradient and upon realizing there was not sufficent distance to clear terrain, decided to settle in a clearing. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 2001, at 1400 hours mountain standard time, an amateur-built experimental Storey MK 7, N1296, collided with terrain during takeoff and initial climb from a glider port in Marana, Arizona. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received only minor injuries. The airplane was being operated by the owner/pilot as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight was originating from the El Tiro Glider Port near Marana, and was en route to Eloy, Arizona, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. According to the statement given by the pilot to Safety Board investigators, he took off in the direction of rising desert terrain and was unable to climb at a sufficient rate to clear it. The airplane was set down in a clearing. The airplane hit a hole during the landing phase and flipped over. The pilot had logged 3,000 hours of total flight time with 15 hours in the model, and was also a certified flight instructor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1296](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1296), registered now, S/N 2, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Storey MK 7 - Registry model: [Story 7](https://openairdocs.org/model/story-7) (registry code 056013L) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2 - Airframe hours: 136 - Engines: Volkswagen 1600CC 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald K. Domeyer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2000, 15 hours before - Departed: PVT, Marana, AZ - Destination: E60, Eloy, AZ - Airport: PVT, El Tiro Glider Port, runway 26, 3,000 × 120 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 16, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 15 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: TUS ## 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 20010204014109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010204014109A), Feb 4, 2001: Amtr MK7, Marana, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he departed el tiro Private airstrip and after climbout realized that the aircraft would not out climb the terrain. An emergency… 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.