# NTSB MIA96LA126: Luttrell-Lacky Breezy, N78LL, Hendersonville, NC, April 21, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1996, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Hendersonville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.260612, -82.550857 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2606&lon=-82.5509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38011/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA126

## Probable cause

inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, by not adequately surveying the area to be used for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a fence.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot performed a precautionary landing in a corn field after being unable to locate his planned destination. He determined his position and elected to takeoff, but he did not survey the corn field before takeoff. During the ground roll, the corn rows changed direction, and the airplane failed to become airborne before colliding with a fence.

## Factual narrative

On April 21, 1996, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Luttrell-Lacky Breezy, N78LL, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged on takeoff from a field near Hendersonville, North Carolina.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that he landed uneventfully in a corn field after being unable to locate his destination.  He determined his location and maneuvered the airplane to takeoff.  He further stated that he did not survey the field before the takeoff attempt.  Initially, during the ground roll he was paralleling the corn rows, but the row direction changed and the airplane continued across the corn rows at about a 45-degree angle.  The pilot observed a fence ahead and thought the airplane would be airborne before the fence but the airplane remained on the ground and collided with it.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78LL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78LL), registered now, S/N SSVTS-001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Luttrell-Lacky BREEZY
- Registry model: [Luttrell-Lackey BREEZY](https://openairdocs.org/model/luttrell-lackey-breezy) (registry code 0565095) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: SSVTS-001
- Airframe hours: 575
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert B. Clifton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1995, 12 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NC33, NC
- Airport: NC33, Ritter Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 248 total, 10 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL

## 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 19960421007979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960421007979A), Apr 21, 1996: Amtrrl BREEZYRLU1, Asheville, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft made an emergency landing then attempted to takeoff, unable to gain altitude, hit a fence.

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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