# NTSB MIA97LA204: Moran Teenie TWO, N9753, Pinehurst, NC, July 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1997, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Pinehurst, NC - Coordinates: 35.179702, -79.460395 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1797&lon=-79.4604&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38307/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to takeoff with a tailwind and improper recovery from a bounced landing. This resulted in a premature lift off, in-flight collision with terrain, on-ground loss of directional control, and subsequent on-ground collision with a taxiway sign. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - weather condition - tailwind - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground - lift-off - premature, pilot in command - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, other - object - sign - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command ## Analysis The airplane was observed to takeoff with a tailwind, became airborne, settled back onto the runway, and bounced three times. The pilot lost directional control, the airplane veered to the left, collided with a taxiway sign, yawed to the left 90 degrees, sheared off the nose wheel, skidded through the grass , crossed a taxiway and came to a complete stop. The pilot reported a partial loss of engine power on takeoff. Examination of the engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 1997, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Moran Teenie Two, an unregistered experimental homebuilt airplane, N9753, experienced a loss of directional control on takeoff and crashed at the Moore County Airport, Pinehurst, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he lifted off the runway at 80 mph and reached about 20 feet when the engine experienced a power reduction of about 25 percent. He lowered the nose and the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder and the airplane continued to the left. The nosewheel collided with a taxiway sign, the airplane hit the ground and spun to the left 180 degrees. Witnesses stated the pilot took off downwind and became airborne about 500 feet down the runway. "The aircraft seemed to have a normal take off at first. He bounced the first time and came off the runway about 2-3 feet, he bounced again and came off the runway about 20 feet. When the airplane came down for a third time, pieces came loose and the airplane veered off to the left and came off the runway. He hit taxiway C sign and 2 runway lights. The aircraft spun 180 degrees before coming to a complete stop." Examination of the crashsite revealed the airplane became prematurely airborne, returned to the runway, and high sink rate induced a series of three bounces. The pilot lost directional control about 35 degrees left of runway heading, struck a taxiway sign, yawed to the left 90 degrees, sheared off the nose wheel, skidded through the grass across a taxiway, yawed to the left 90 degrees, and came to rest. Examination of the engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. An NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was mailed to the pilot on July 7, 1997, and another copy was faxed to the pilot on August 13, 1997. In addition numerous phone calls were made to the pilot's residence requesting that the report be completed. No report was received from the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9753](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9753-2013-09-27), registration cancelled 2013-09-27, S/N 510432, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Moran TEENIE TWO - Registry model: [Moran TEENIE TWO](https://openairdocs.org/model/moran-teenie-two) (registry code 0562562) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Volkswagen CONVERSION](https://openairdocs.org/engine/volkswagen-conversion) (registry code 63501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 510432 - Engines: Volkswagen 36 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Mcdonaugh - Registered owner: Lewis C. Griffith - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: SOP - Destination: MYR, MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Airport: SOP, Moore County Airport, runway 5, 5,503 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 80 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SOP ## 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 19970704019929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970704019929A), Jul 4, 1997: Amtrpk TEENIE2, Southern Pines, NC, Substantial damage. Premature liftoff, settled back, bounced and lost directional control leaving runway and colliding with runway sign. (-23) pilot became prematurely airborne in… 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.