- Date
- February 16, 2008, 15:49 local (21:49 UTC)
- Place
- Tullahoma, TN
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N4499YClutton Eric Fred S1
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 30, 2008
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Nashville FSDO
- FAA report
- 20080216831439A
- Case key
- 67526
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
According to the pilot of the amateur built Fred S1 airplane, during takeoff roll and just as the main wheels left the runway, the airplane turned sharply right. He applied full left "stick" and got the wings level, but by then he was at a right angle to the runway with a good stretch of grass ahead, so he landed. The pilot stated that unfortunately the grass was swampy and the airplane nosed over onto it's back. The pilot exited from the open cockpit with no problem. The pilot further stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions noted with the airplane prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found the vertical stabilizer crushed and partially separated from the airframe.
Factual narrative
According to the pilot of the amateur built Fred S1 airplane, during takeoff roll and just as the main wheels left the runway, the airplane turned sharply right. He applied full left "stick" and got the wings level, but by then he was at a right angle to the runway with a good stretch of grass ahead, so he landed. The pilot stated that unfortunately the grass was swampy and the airplane nosed over onto it's back. The pilot exited from the open cockpit with no problem. The pilot further stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions noted with the airplane prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector found the vertical stabilizer crushed and partially separated from the airframe.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4499Y
- Reported as
- Clutton Eric Fred S1
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- EC/ES 1A
- Airframe hours
- 2,289
- Engine
- Continental A&C65, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Eric Clutton
- Registered owner
- Eric Clutton
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 1, 2007 · 10 hours before
- Departed
- THA · Tullahoma, TN
- Destination
- THA
- Airport
- THA · Tullahoma Regional Airport, runway 18, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 79
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Single
- Flight hours
- 4,000 total · 2,000 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 63 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.05 inHg
- Observed at
- MDQ, 20 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.