# NTSB LAX95LA115: Skov-Papworth Q2, N2103, Hollister, CA, February 16, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 16, 1995, 15:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Hollister, CA - Coordinates: 36.890201, -121.239288 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8902&lon=-121.2393&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29040 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29040/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA115 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff ground roll. The pilot's lack of recent experience is a factor in the accident. ## 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) - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL AS IT VEERED SEVERAL TIMES FROM THE CENTERLINE. TWELVE HUNDRED FEET INTO THE GROUND ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED LEFT AND STRUCK A RUNWAY SIGN. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF AND EVENTUALLY BECAME AIRBORNE. HE THEN RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND GROUND LOOPED DURING THE LANDING. THE AIRPORT MANAGER STATED THAT NINE DAYS BEFORE, THE PILOT HAD GROUND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT ON THREE SEPARATE TAKEOFF ATTEMPTS. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED OFF THE RUNWAY ON THE FIRST TWO ATTEMPTS. ON THE THIRD TRY, THE PILOT VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND ENTERED A DIRT MEDIAN AREA. THE PILOT PULLED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE GROUND IN A LEFT, CLIMBING TURN AND NARROWLY MISSED HITTING A HANGAR ON THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT SAID HE JUST BOUGHT THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS TRYING TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS. THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT HAS AN EXTREMELY SMALL RUDDER AREA AND WAS 'VERY SQUIRRELLY' ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT'S MOST RECENT MEDICAL WAS ISSUED ONE MONTH AGO. THE LAST MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF RECORD PRIOR TO THAT WAS ISSUED IN 1977. AT THE TIME OF THE 1977 MEDICAL, THE PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL TIME OF 150 HOURS. ## Factual narrative On February 16, 1995, at 1505 Pacific standard time, a Skov- Papworth Q2 experimental home built airplane, N2103, collided with a runway sign at the Hollister Municipal Airport, Hollister, California, following a loss of control during a takeoff attempt. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage in the accident sequence; however, the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a local area personal flight. According to the airport manager, the aircraft was using runway 31 for the takeoff attempt. Witnesses observed the conventional gear aircraft experience directional control difficulties during the ground roll as it veered several times from the centerline. About 1,200 feet into the ground roll, the aircraft veered left and struck a runway sign. The pilot continued the takeoff and eventually became airborne. After a local area flight, the aircraft returned to the airport and ground looped during the landing. Examination of the aircraft revealed significant damage to the composite material aircraft fuselage skin. The airport manager stated that on February 7 the pilot experienced similar ground directional control problems with the aircraft on three separate takeoff attempts. The aircraft ground looped off the runway on the first two attempts, followed by the pilot taxiing back to try a takeoff again. On the third attempt, the pilot veered left off the runway and entered a dirt median area as the pilot reduced the power. As the aircraft approached a drainage ditch, the pilot applied power and pulled the aircraft off the ground in a left, climbing turn. The aircraft narrowly missed colliding with a hangar on the airport. In a verbal statement to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the pilot said he purchased the aircraft on February 6 and was attempting to become familiar with the control characteristics. The pilot said the aircraft has an extremely small rudder area and was "very squirrelly" on the ground. Review of FAA airman and medical records revealed that the pilot's most recent medical certificate was issued January 17, 1995. The last medical certificate of record prior to that was issued on February 25, 1977. At the time of the 1977 medical examination, the pilot reported a total time of 150 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2103](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2103-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 2103, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SKOV-PAPWORTH Q2 - Registry model: [Skov-Papworth Q-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/skov-papworth-q-2) (registry code 05645EW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2103 - Airframe hours: 247 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas E. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1995, 2 hours before - Departed: 307 - Airport: 3O7, Hollister Municipal, runway 31, 6,350 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 850 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19950216002219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950216002219A), Feb 16, 1995: Amtrqk QUICKIE2, Hollister, CA, Substantial damage. Veered on landing. Struck a sign took off. Ground looped landing. Had prior excurstions. No check out in type. ## Other investigations on N2103 (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 LAX84LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA090), Dec 2, 1983: Skov-Papworth Quickie 2 (N2103), Palo Alto, CA, 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.