# NTSB NYC03CA194: unknown Avid Flyer, Covington, NY, September 6, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 5, 2003, 18:30 local (Sep 6, 2003, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Covington, NY
- Coordinates: 42.853332, -78.010276
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8533&lon=-78.0103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57877
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03CA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57877/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03CA194

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions
  - airspeed - not maintained (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot initiated a takeoff roll on an 800-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, turf runway.  The airplane was not initially aligned with the runway, and the pilot utilized a portion of the takeoff roll to align the airplane with the runway centerline.  The airplane's takeoff roll was longer than usual, and once airborne, the pilot thought that the airplane would not clear trees at the end of the runway.  Additionally, the pilot thought that there was insufficient runway remaining to abort the takeoff.  He increased the airplane's pitch angle and cleared the trees.  However, the airplane subsequently experienced an inadvertent stall and impacted a grass field beyond the trees.

## Factual narrative

On September 5, 2003, about 1830 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur built Avid Flyer, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain, while departing a private airstrip near Covington, New York.  The certificated private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he departed on runway 25, an 800-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, turf runway.  Prior to the takeoff roll, the airplane was not aligned with the runway centerline.  The pilot further stated:

"...used some of the runway to get on centerline.  On takeoff roll I used more runway than normal.  Once we were airborne it was too late to abort the takeoff and we found the [altitude] was not enough to clear trees off the end of the runway."

The pilot increased the airplane's pitch angle and cleared the trees.  However, the airplane subsequently experienced an inadvertent stall, and impacted a grass field beyond the trees.

The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

The wind was reported as calm, at 1754 and 1854, at an airport approximately 20 miles southeast of the accident site.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: unknown Avid Flyer
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: Unknown
- Engines: Cuyuna 430 43 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stuart Jinks
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: NONE, Covington, NY
- Airport: NONE, private airstrip, runway 25, 800 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 212 total, 4 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F

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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