# NTSB MIA08CA049: Airborne Redback, N1847, Jefferson, GA, January 30, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 30, 2008, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC) - Place: Jefferson, GA - Coordinates: 34.171943, -83.560554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1719&lon=-83.5606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67447 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67447/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA049 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain control of the airplane and his poor weather evaluation before attempting to taxi the airplane. A factor in the accident was the failure of airport personnel to correct the inaccurate wind information reported by the AWOS. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Airborne REDBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05901OI), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Airborne REDBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=05901OI), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airborne REDBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05901OI), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airborne REDBACK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901OI), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Meteorological services: automated weather](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03013030): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Accuracy of related info (probable cause); cases with it: [Airborne REDBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03013030/cases.md?model=05901OI), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03013030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Airborne REDBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05901OI), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Airborne REDBACK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901OI), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Airborne REDBACK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901OI), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported to NTSB there was no intention for flight, he was taxiing and practicing radio communication procedures. The pilot reported to the airport manager immediately after the accident that the accident flight was his first solo flight. While taxiing on runway 34 with partial power applied, a strong gust of wind occurred and the aircraft became airborne inadvertently, and climbed to approximately 50 feet. He did not apply power and the aircraft drifted to the side of the runway then impacted the ground. The engine remained running postaccident and he had to secure it before being rescued. He further reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft. He did state that the AWOS indicated the wind was from 5 mph, gusting to 10 mph, and the AWOS was wrong. The airport manager reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was from the west and north with gusts to 20 plus mph. The installed AWOS was certificated approximately 1 year and 3 months before the accident, but the wind information has been deemed unreliable since certification due to the location of trees within a 500 foot radius of the wind sensor. There was no NOTAM and no information was published in the FAA Airport/Facility Directory pertaining to the unreliable wind information. At the time of the accident, the AWOS on the airport recorded the wind was from 310 degrees at 5 knots; no gusts were reported. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported to NTSB there was no intention for flight, he was taxiing and practicing radio communication procedures. The pilot reported to the airport manager immediately after the accident that the accident flight was his first solo flight. While taxiing on runway 34 with partial power applied, a strong gust of wind occurred and the weight shift control aircraft became airborne inadvertently and climbed to approximately 50 feet. He did not apply power and the aircraft drifted to the side of the runway then impacted the ground. The engine remained running postaccident and he had to secure it before being rescued. He further reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft. He did state that the AWOS indicated the wind was from 5 mph, gusting to 10 mph, and the AWOS was wrong. The airport manager reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was from the west and north with gusts to 20 plus mph. The installed AWOS was certificated approximately 1 year and 3 months before the accident, but the wind information has been deemed unreliable since certification due to the location of trees within a 500 foot radius of the wind sensor. There was no NOTAM and no information was published in the FAA Airport/Facility Directory pertaining to the unreliable wind information. At the time of the accident, the AWOS on the airport recorded the wind was from 310 degrees at 5 knots; no gusts were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1847](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1847), registered now, S/N 503/728, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Airborne Redback - Registry model: [Airborne REDBACK](https://openairdocs.org/model/airborne-redback) (registry code 05901OI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 503/728 - Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael S. Moss - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: 19A, Jefferson, GA - Destination: 19A, Jefferson, GA - Airport: 19A, Jackson County Airport, runway 16, 4,109 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 28 total, 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: 19A ## 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 20080130831349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080130831349A), Jan 30, 2008: Airbau REDBACK, Jefferson, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) On the afternoon of January 30, 2008 at Jackson co. airport Jefferson ga. The pilot [privacy data omitted] flew his ultralight (light sport acft) off… 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.