# NTSB MIA96LA004: Louks Pulsar XP, N912XL, Inverness, FL, October 7, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 1995, 13:52 local (17:52 UTC) - Place: Inverness, FL - Coordinates: 28.830974, -82.270637 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8310&lon=-82.2706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37927 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37927/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA004 ## Probable cause Premature rotation by the pilot during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush, while attempting to accelerate in ground effect after lift-off. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - rotation - premature, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot stated that he performed an engine run-up before departure with no discrepancies noted. He initiated a takeoff in a no-wind condition with the flaps retracted. The pilot stated that after lift-off, he leveled off about 4 to 5 feet above the runway to build airspeed. He stated that the 'plane dropped, left wing more that right, aircraft skidded off runway, and hit runway marker along edge of runway at approximately 10 mph.' A postcrash fire erupted in the right wing area after the airplane came to rest. Both occupants were seriously burned. The passenger died later due to burns. The pilot stated that there was no preimpact failure or malfunction of the engine or flight control. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 1995, about 1352 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Pulsar XP, N912XL, crashed during takeoff from the Inverness Airport, Inverness, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged by impact and a postcrash fire and the commercial-rated pilot sustained serious injuries. One passenger who was seriously injured died 13 days after the accident. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he performed an engine run-up before takeoff with no discrepancies noted. During the takeoff ground roll under no wind condition with the flaps retracted, he intentionally remained on the ground for a longer time. After rotation he lowered the nose of the airplane to accelerate during which the airplane rolled to the left, descended, and touched down. While on the ground travelling about 10-15 miles per hour, the right wing of the airplane collided with a runway marker sign. The airplane then spun to the right and came to rest on a heading of about 085 degrees. A postcrash fire started on the right side of the airplane after it came to rest. He reported that he rescued his wife who was uninjured as a result of the collision with the sign, out the left side of the airplane. He further stated that there was no preimpact failure or malfunction of the engine or flight controls. A witness who was located about 150 yards south of the airport observed the airplane during the takeoff ground roll and stated that it appeared to him that the airplane was in a nose high attitude. The airplane climbed to 6-7 feet above the runway then was observed to roll to his right and disappeared behind trees. Information pertaining to the weather is contained in an NTSB Weather Factual Report. The pilot later reported that the wind condition was calm at the time of the accident. According to the designer of the airplane, the calculated stall speed at the time of the accident was about 48 miles per hour. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N912XL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N912XL-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 251, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LOUKS PULSAR XP - Registry model: [Louks Raymond L PULSAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/louks-raymond-l-pulsar) (registry code 05620PF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 251 - Airframe hours: 93 - Engines: ROTAX 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Raymond L. Louks - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 1995, 1 hours before - Departed: X40 - Airport: X40, Inverness, runway 19, 3,792 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 75 in this make and model, 725 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OCF, 23 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 19951007031399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951007031399A), Oct 7, 1995: Amtr PULSAR, Inverness, FL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Made early liftoff. Right wing stalled just after liftoff. Right wing struck runway marker. Homebuilt burned. 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.