# NTSB NYC03LA111: Virginia Wright Model B, N1911K, Midland, VA, May 20, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2003, 20:20 local (May 20, 2003, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Midland, VA - Coordinates: 38.633888, -77.757225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6339&lon=-77.7572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57021 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57021/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The experimental airplane was undergoing a series of taxi tests on a 200-foot-wide turf runway. While taxiing, the airplane unexpectedly became airborne. The pilot was not sure if he could land the airplane in the space remaining, and elected to maneuver for a landing attempt. The airplane entered a series of slide slips which the pilot was able to correct from; however, on final approach, the airplane entered a slide slip to the left. The pilot was unable to recover and the airplane impacted trees. The airplane had not been flown previous to the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2003, about 2020 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Wright Model B, N1911K, was substantially damaged when it struck trees while maneuvering at Horse Feathers Airport (53VA), Midland, Virginia. The certificated airline transport pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the airplane was an exact replica of the original Wright Model B, produced by the Wright Brothers. The airplane had been difficult to control during taxi, and the airplane was undergoing a series of taxi tests on a 200-foot-wide turf runway. While taxiing, the airplane unexpectedly became airborne. The pilot was not sure if he could land the airplane in the space remaining, and elected maneuver for a landing attempt. The airplane entered a series of slide slips which the pilot was able to correct from; however, on final approach, the airplane entered a slide slip to the left. The pilot was unable to recover and the airplane impacted trees. The airplane had not flown previous to the accident. Winds reported at airport 8 nautical miles to the southwest, about the time of the accident, were calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1911K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1911K), registered now, S/N VA3, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Virginia Aviation Wright Model B - Registry model: [Virginia Avia & Machine WRIGHT MODEL B](https://openairdocs.org/model/virginia-avia-machine-wright-model-b) (registry code 05614Z1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: VA3 - Airframe hours: 0 - Engines: Wright Vert Four 35 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Virginia Aviation & Machine Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 4, 2002, 0 hours before - Departed: 53VA, Midland, VA - Airport: VA53, Horse Feathers Airport, runway 4, 2,600 × 200 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 25, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 35,400 total, 24,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: CJR, 8 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 20030520017469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030520017469A), May 20, 2003: Amtr WRIGHTFLYER, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Report on the investigation of an accident involving a wright 1911 model "b" aircraft, pilot kenneth hyde ATP 138265. I interviewed Mr. Hyde on may 20,… 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.