# NTSB NYC00LA241: Freund Wittman W10, N8470X, Valley City, OH, August 26, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 2000, 11:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Valley City, OH
- Coordinates: 41.230155, -81.920455 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2302&lon=-81.9205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA241

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff.  A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The airplane was departing from Runway 18, a 2,700 foot long, 50 foot wide, turf runway.  According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, the airplane began 'swerving' due to wind gusts from the southeast.  He attempted to 'straighten' the airplane; however, the right wing contacted the ground and separated.  Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions of the airframe or engine, nor did the pilot report any.  Winds reported at an airport 12 miles north-northeast of the accident site were from 210 degrees at 8 knots.

## Factual narrative

On August 26, 2000, about 1110 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt Wittman W10, N8470X, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Valley City Flying Club Airport, Valley City, Ohio.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The airplane was departing from Runway 18, a 2,700 foot long, 50 foot wide, turf runway.

According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, the airplane began "swerving" due to wind gusts from the southeast.  The pilot attempted to "straighten" the airplane; however, the right wing contacted the ground and separated.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions of the airframe or engine, nor did the pilot report any.

Winds reported at an airport 12 miles north-northeast of the accident site, at 1051, were from 210 degrees at 8 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8470X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8470X-2001-01-24), registration cancelled 2001-01-24, S/N 1178 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Freund WITTMAN W10 (WITTMAN W1)
- Registry model: [Freund Friedrich W WITTMAN TAILWIND W10](https://openairdocs.org/model/freund-friedrich-w-wittman-tailwind-w10) (registry code 05607QZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1178
- Airframe hours: 3
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Friedrich W. Freund
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 78OH
- Airport: 78OH, Valley City Flying Club, runway 18, 2,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 250 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLE, 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 20000826010349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000826010349A), Aug 26, 2000: Valley City, OH, No damage. (-23) Pilot reported he was taking off from Valley City airport at approx. 11:10 am, when he reports encountering a wind gust which caused him to loose…

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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