# NTSB LAX94LA064: Braegger GL Nieuport 17, N124DK, Chandler, AZ, December 3, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 3, 1993, 15:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Chandler, AZ - Location: 33.3062° N, 111.8413° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chandler, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3062&lon=-111.8413&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28614 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28614/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA064 ## Probable cause was the pilot's improper handling of the airplane, and his failure to maintain control during his first attempted takeoff. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadvertent porpoising on the runway, and his lack of familiarity with the airplane's flight characteristics. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT BUILT THE AIRPLANE, PERFORMED TAXI TESTS, AND THEN ATTEMPTED FLIGHT. DURING HIS FIRST TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED 15 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REDUCED AND REAPPLIED ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED THREE TIMES ON THE RUNWAY BEFORE THE PILOT LOST TOTAL CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD NO PREVIOUS FLYING EXPERIENCE IN THE MODEL AIRPLANE, AND HIS LAST BFR HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED ABOUT 33 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. ## Factual narrative On December 3, 1993, at 1540 mountain standard time, a homebuilt experimental Braegger GL Nieuport 17, N124DK, operated by its builder, crashed during an attempted takeoff from the Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The experimental airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap. According to the pilot, he had recently completed building the airplane and the accident occurred during his first attempted takeoff. The pilot stated all systems functioned normally and he gained about 15 feet of altitude. The pilot reported that he reduced engine power and then reapplied power. The main wheels bounced three times on the runway and then the airplane nosed over. The pilot's last biennial flight review was accomplished in March of 1991. The pilot's previous experience in the accident airplane had been accomplished during taxi tests. The Federal Aviation Administration's coordinator verbally reported that his examination of the airplane's controls revealed they had continuity. No mechanical malfunctions were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N124DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N124DK-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N 585, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BRAEGGER GL NIEUPORT 17 (GL NIEUPOR) - Registry model: [Braegger Michael K G L NIEUPORT 17](https://openairdocs.org/model/braegger-michael-k-g-l-nieuport-17) (registry code 05624C5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 585 - Airframe hours: 3 - Engines: Volkswagen 1600 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael K. Braegger - Registered owner: Michael K. Braegger - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1993, 0 hours before - Airport: P10, Chandler Municipal, runway 4, 4,850 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 106 total, 3 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19931203045989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931203045989A), Dec 3, 1993: Amtr NIEUPORT24, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. First flight of homebuilt. Porposied on takeoff. Reduced power then added power nosed over. 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.