# NTSB LAX04CA010: Avions Max Holste MH 1521 Broussard, N239HL, El Cajon, CA, October 11, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2003, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: El Cajon, CA - Coordinates: 32.82611, -116.972503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8261&lon=-116.9725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58139 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58139/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA010 ## Probable cause the pilot's premature liftoff and his failure to attain an adequate takeoff airspeed, which resulted in a stall. The pilot's failure to correctly set the pitch trim before takeoff was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - trim setting - not set, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane stalled during the takeoff initial climb. After an expedited takeoff and 3 seconds into the takeoff roll, the pilot applied forward stick to raise the tail. After 5 seconds, the tail was still on the ground. He then moved his left hand to the stick so that he could use his right hand to apply nose down trim. However, before he could apply it and prior to attaining takeoff airspeed, the airplane ballooned about 8 feet into the air. As it recontacted the ground, the airplane bounced and the right wing stalled. The right wing impacted the ground, followed by the left main gear, and then the left wing tip. The propeller contacted the ground as the left main gear hit, and the engine stopped. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot reported that he took off prior to reaching takeoff airspeed and stalled the airplane. He felt that additional nose down trim could have prevented the accident. ## Factual narrative On October 11, 2003, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, an Avions Max Holste MH 1521 Broussard, N239HL, stalled during takeoff from Gillespie Field (SEE), El Cajon, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The personal flight, en route to San Felipe, Mexico, was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement the pilot reported that he was number 3 for takeoff, with seven airplanes waiting behind him. He did an expedited takeoff, rather than his usual takeoff procedures of lining up on the centerline and releasing the brakes after reaching 2,500 rpm. The initial takeoff roll was normal. After approximately 3 seconds, the pilot applied forward stick to raise the tail. After 5 seconds, the tail was still on the ground. He then moved his left hand to the stick so that he could use his right hand to apply nose down trim. However, before he could apply it, the airplane ballooned about 8 feet into the air. As it recontacted the ground, the airplane bounced, and the right wing stalled. The right wing impacted the ground, followed by the left main gear, and then the left wing tip. The propeller contacted the ground as the left main gear hit, and the engine stopped. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane and reported that "additional nose down trim" could have prevented the accident. In a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that he took off prior to reaching takeoff airspeed and stalled the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N239HL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N239HL-2017-05-15), registration cancelled 2017-05-15, S/N 239, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Avions Max Holste MH 1521 BROUSSARD - Registry model: [Avions Max Holste MH 1521 BROUSSARD](https://openairdocs.org/model/avions-max-holste-mh-1521-broussard) (registry code 0911010) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 239 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney 985 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gene Chaffin - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KSEE, El Cajon, CA - Destination: MMSF, San Felipe - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KSEE, Gillespie, runway 27 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,754 total, 201 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20031011034589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031011034589A), Oct 11, 2003: Brosrd MH1521M, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 11, 2003, N239HL, an experimental exhibition certificated avions max holste mh 1521 broussard aircraft stalled during takeoff from Gillespie… ## Other investigations on N239HL (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 NYC92LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA155), Aug 9, 1992: Broussard MH-1521M (N239HL), Elyria, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE RESULTING IN A HARD BOUNCED LANDING AND SUBSEQUENT BLOWN TIRE AND LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL. 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.