# NTSB MIA05LA029: Joseph R. Sirgo Aquilla, N2011G, Eustis, FL, November 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 13, 2004, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Eustis, FL - Coordinates: 28.843334, -81.629997 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8433&lon=-81.6300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 60646 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60646/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA029 ## Probable cause The passenger's control interference, which resulted in a loss of control, and the airplane impacting a hangar during takeoff/initial climb. ## 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 - low altitude flight/maneuver - abrupt, passenger - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command - control interference - performed, passenger (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - hangar/airport building ## Analysis An experimental amateur-built airplane, impacted a hangar during takeoff/initial climb. The pilot stated that while allowing his friend to control the airplane he appeared to panic, pulled the control bar to his chest, the airplane veered to the right, and the pilot could not regain control. According to the pilot, there were no known anomalies or malfunctions to the aircraft or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On November 13, 2004, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Joseph R. Sirgo Aquilla experimental amateur-built airplane, N2011G, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, impacted a hangar during takeoff/initial climb. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and one passenger received serious injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to an FAA inspector who responded to the accident scene, during the takeoff the passenger who was sitting in the front seat of the airplane, froze on the controls and the pilot could not overpower him. The inspector stated the pilot applied full power and attempted to climb over a hangar which was in the way, but he was unable to avoid impacting it. The aircraft impacted the hangar door and caused it to collapse, damaging an airplane which was in the hangar. The pilot stated that while allowing his friend to control the airplane and at an altitude of about 100 to 150 feet, the passenger appeared to panic, pulled the control bar to his chest, and consequently put the airplane into a dive. The pilot stated that he yelled "let go I've got it", the passenger released the bar and the pilot stabilized the airplane. He further stated that the passenger again pulled the control bar, the airplane veered to the right, and the pilot could not regain control. According to the pilot, there were no known anomolies or malfunctions to the aircraft or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2011G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2011G), registered now, S/N 33-466-15, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Joseph R. Sirgo Aquilla - Registry model: [Sirgo Joseph R AQUILLA](https://openairdocs.org/model/sirgo-joseph-r-aquilla) (registry code 056112W) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 33-466-15 - Airframe hours: 223 - Engines: Rotax 582 Blue Head 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dayton Alan Babcock - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2004, 20 hours before - Departed: X55, Eustis, FL - Destination: X55 - Airport: X55, Mid Florida Airport, runway 18, 3,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 1, 2000; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: ORL, 26 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 20041113031099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041113031099A), Nov 13, 2004: Amtr AQUILLA, Eustis, FL, Destroyed. (-23) On takeoff, passenger in front grabbed control bar and prevented pilot from climbing. Pilot could not overpower pax input, pax initiated left turn, pilot… 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.