# NTSB LAX99LA168: R.M. Bishop Aero Spec 2150, N2103Z, Payson, AZ, May 2, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 1999, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.189777, -111.170562 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1898&lon=-111.1706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46386 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46386/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA168 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate use of the rudder controls to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in veering off the runway and ground looping in tall vegetation. ## 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 - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis While taxiing the conventional gear airplane onto the runway, the pilot checked the windsock for winds and noted a calm indication. After lifting the tail off the runway on the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot attempted to return the airplane to centerline with rudder and brake inputs, but was unsuccessful. He noted that he was at rotation speed and made an unsuccessful attempt to takeoff in ground effect. The airplane departed the runway at a high rate of speed into a grass field, and subsequently ground looped before coming to rest. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1999, at 1045 hours mountain standard time, an experimental R.M. Bishop Aero Spec 2150, N2103Z, veered off runway 24 and ground looped during the takeoff ground roll at the Payson, Arizona, airport. During the accident sequence, the airplane encountered tall brush vegetation. The airplane, operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was scheduled to terminate at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, on the day of the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that as he taxied the conventional gear airplane onto runway 24, he checked the windsock to the south and it displayed a calm indication. The pilot stated that as he brought the tail up on the takeoff roll, the airplane began to yaw to the left. He attempted to apply right rudder input to return the airplane to centerline. The pilot stated that as he approached the side of the runway, he noticed the airspeed indicator at 60 knots, and he attempted to takeoff in ground effect. He reported that he was unable to get the airplane airborne and went into the grass at a high rate of speed. The pilot stated that he attempted to regain control of the airplane with rudder input and light braking; however, the airplane spun around in the brush left of the taxiway before it came to a stop. The closest weather reporting station 57 miles northwest of the accident site at Prescott, Arizona, was reporting winds as variable at 3 knots. The pilot had a total of 9 hours in the experimental airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2103Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2103Z), registered now, S/N 890001, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: R.M. Bishop AERO SPEC 2150 (AERO SPEC) - Registry model: [Bishop Raymond Max AERO SPEC 2150](https://openairdocs.org/model/bishop-raymond-max-aero-spec-2150) (registry code 05616TC) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 890001 - Airframe hours: 919 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alpha Wings - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 8, 1998, 36 hours before - Departed: E69 - Destination: FFZ, MESA, AZ - Airport: E69, Payson, runway 24, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 384 total, 9 in this make and model, 328 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PRC, 57 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 19990502004309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990502004309A), May 2, 1999: Amtr AEROSPEC2150, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. Acft tail came up on take-off, the acft yawed to the left, landed in the grass, crossed the median, and struck trees, other circumstances are unknown. (From… 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.