# NTSB MIA08CA201: Cox Clyde H Fshr Aero Vsns Clbty, N716HJ, Tampa, FL, September 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 25, 2008, 12:03 local (16:03 UTC) - Place: Tampa, FL - Coordinates: 28.219444, -82.371391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2194&lon=-82.3714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69001/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA201 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff due to inadequate maintenance. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cox Clyde H FSHR AERO VSNS CLBTY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05625R9), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wing structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cox Clyde H FSHR AERO VSNS CLBTY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700/cases.md?model=05625R9), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035700/cases.md) - [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cox Clyde H FSHR AERO VSNS CLBTY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=05625R9), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cox Clyde H FSHR AERO VSNS CLBTY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=05625R9), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Cox Clyde H FSHR AERO VSNS CLBTY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05625R9), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to a witness, a slight gust of wind came across the airfield during takeoff. He stated that the airplane was two to three feet off the ground when the left wing dipped, hit the runway, and caused the airplane to cartwheel several times. According to an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic, the pilot was anxious to take his aircraft so he started adjusting the tension on the flying wire cables himself. The cables on the left wing remained loose even after adjusting the turnbuckles. The A&P recommended to the pilot that the cables be cut and re-swaged to which the pilot declined. On the day of the accident, the pilot taxied his airplane away from A&P’s property, without having any of the discrepancies corrected. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found that the pilot preferred to do his own maintenance, and that an annual inspection was not completed on the airplane. He found that the left wing's flying wires were not attached properly to the main frame, which was evidenced by the oblong fitting coupled with the bare metal on the main frame bracket showing that the assembly pulled apart from the fuselage before or just prior to takeoff. ## Factual narrative According to a witness, while standing at his work place watching the airplane takeoff, a slight gust of wind came across the airfield. He stated that the airplane was two to three feet off the ground when the left wing dipped, hit the runway, and caused the airplane to cart wheel several times. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the upper left wing was ripped off from the aircraft during impact. The right wing was still attached to the fuselage. Sections of wood chips from the wings were scattered for approximately 100 feet from the point of impact to the final resting spot. There was no post crash fire or evidence of fuel leakage at the scene. According to an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic who started an annual inspection on the airplane but did not complete it stated that he had provided the pilot with a list of items that needed to be corrected before the inspection could be signed off. The A&P said that he found the airplane to be in pretty good shape during the inspection. However, he was concerned about the tension on the wing flying wires which appeared to be very loose especially the left side. The A&P mechanic presented his findings to the pilot, and asked him to contact the aircraft manufacturer to obtain the tension specifications on the wires. A note was made by the A&P in the inspection checklist and the discrepancy list. According to the A&P the pilot was anxious to take his aircraft so he started adjusting the tension on the flying wire cables himself. The cables on the left wing remained loose even after adjusting the turnbuckles. The A&P recommended to the pilot that the cables be cut and re-swaged to which the pilot declined. On the day of the accident, the pilot taxied his airplane away from A&P’s property, without having any of the discrepancies corrected. Examination of the right wing flying wires by the FAA Inspector found the three turnbuckles were still attached to the main fuselage frame. The left wing flying cables were not attached to the main fuselage frame. However, the bolt with the nut was attached to the fuselage frame. The left wing flying wires attachment fitting, which holds the three flying wire turnbuckles and fastens to the main frame on the fuselage, appeared to be oblong. Other than signs of scrapping on the attachment fitting, there were no signs of cracking or separation on the fitting. Further examination of the left main wing bracket on the fuselage showed signs of bare metal and scrapes. The FAA Inspector inserted the attachment fitting behind the bolt on the main frame. With a little force, the attachment fitting could be pushed pass the bolt. Due to the pilot’s injuries and the medically induced coma, the pilot was unable to complete the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N716HJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N716HJ-2013-11-06), registration cancelled 2013-11-06, S/N AV 1033, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cox Clyde H Fshr Aero Vsns Clbty - Registry model: [Cox Clyde H FSHR AERO VSNS CLBTY](https://openairdocs.org/model/cox-clyde-h-fshr-aero-vsns-clbty) (registry code 05625R9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AV 1033 - Airframe hours: 6.61 - Engines: Continental O200-A6A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 15, 1999, 1 hours before - Departed: X39, Tampa, FL - Destination: X39, Tampa, FL - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: X39, Tampa North Aero Park, runway 32, 3,541 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 12, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 2,430 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: VDF, 12 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 20080925849799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080925849799A), Sep 25, 2008: Coxcly FSHRAEROVSNS, Tampa, FL, Destroyed. (-23) On 25 September, 2008, at 1203 local EDT, an experimental amateur built, fisher Aero visions celebrity, N716HJ, serial number av 1033, owned and operated… 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.