# NTSB MIA89LA225: Cocchiarella Buccaneer II, N127FB, Clermont, FL, August 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Clermont, FL
- Location: 28.5241° N, 81.7236° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clermont, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5241&lon=-81.7236&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA225

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUBSEQUENT COLLISON WITH THE GROUND, WHEN THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF.  THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - climb - not attained
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - descent - inadvertent

## Analysis

THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A 1100 FT RWY ON A HOT/HUMID DAY WITH THE ACFT LOADED NEAR ITS MAX WEIGHT LIMIT. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE SPEED WAS ADEQUATE, HE ROTATED THE ACFT & IT LIFTED OFF. AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE REALIZED THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLEAR A TREE LINE NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. HE INITIATED A TURN TO AVOID THE TREES, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF THE VERTICAL COMPONENT OF LIFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT DESCENDED, IMPACTED IN A VACANT FIELD & WAS DAMAGED. THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY DRG A POST-ACDNT CHECK. THE TEMP, DEW POINT & ELEVATION AT THE AIRSTRIP WERE 90 DEG, 73 DEG & 30 FT, RESPECTIVELY. APRX 25 MI EAST AT ORLANDO (ELEV 96'), THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 2200 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N127FB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N127FB-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N B2A017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COCCHIARELLA BUCCANEER II (BUCCANEER)
- Registry model: [Cocchiarella Joseph A BUCCANEER II](https://openairdocs.org/model/cocchiarella-joseph-a-buccaneer-ii) (registry code 9570803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: B2A 017
- Engines: ROTAX 532LC 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: NONE, Flying Gators Ultalight, runway 5, 1,100 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 201 total, 120 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots, gusting 4
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Observed at: MCO, 25 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 19890819030439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890819030439A), Aug 19, 1989: Amtrad BUCCANEER, Clermont, FL, Substantial damage. Unable to clear trees on initial climbout. Lost lift turning to avoid obstacle and impacted ground. OAT 90 degrees.

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.

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