# NTSB NYC04LA008: Sibila VP 1, N4087F, Cincinnati, OH, October 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2003, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Cincinnati, OH - Coordinates: 39.103332, -84.418609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1033&lon=-84.4186&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58131 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58131/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA008 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - aborted - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The accident flight was the experimental airplane's first flight of a 40-hour test period. The pilot requested a "possible takeoff or at least a long run," from air traffic controllers at the airport, and then departed from the runway after a ground roll of about 20 seconds, in a shallow climb. The airplane leveled off after reaching an altitude of about 50 feet, and then a second climb was initiated, during which the airplane settled back down to the runway. This sequence of climb attempts repeated about 12 times until the airplane reached the end of the runway. The pilot then reduced the power and performed a forced landing to a field on the right side of the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. He stated that the airplane was equipped with a 1200cc Volkswagen engine, resulting in the airplane being underpowered, and unable to climb out of ground effect. The pilot further stated that most other aircraft of this model use a 1600cc Volkswagen engine. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2003, at 1635 eastern daylight time, N4087F, a homebuilt VP 1, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during a forced landing after takeoff from the Cincinnati Municipal Airport - Lunken Field (LUK), Cincinnati, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the test flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to air traffic control (ATC) transcripts provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot contacted the ground controller at Lunken Field, and requested a "taxi to two one left ah possible takeoff or at least a long run." The pilot taxied to runway 21L and performed a run-up inspection in which he noted no abnormalities. He then contacted the tower controller and stated, "..ready for takeoff ah if i can make it i will be turning left eastbound." The pilot reported that during the takeoff from runway 21L, the airplane "would not climb." As he approached the departure end of the runway, he performed a right turn to "set [the] airplane down inside [the] airport." The pilot also reported to a FAA inspector, that the engine installed in the airplane was a 1200cc Volkswagen engine and was underpowered for the airplane, as it would not climb out of ground effect. The pilot stated that most other aircraft of this model use a 1600cc Volkswagen engine. He reported no mechanical problems with the airplane or engine prior to the accident. A witness observed the airplane perform a ground roll on runway 21L for about 20 seconds, and then takeoff in a shallow climb. The airplane then appeared to fly level after reaching an altitude of no more than 50 feet. The pilot appeared to initiate a climb; however, the airplane settled back down to the runway. This sequence of climb attempts repeated about 12 times over a 2 minute period, and according to the witness, the airplane appeared "on the verge of a stall" as the nose came up. The airplane crossed the departure end of runway 21L at 30-40 feet, continued straight for another 200 yards, then went into a 15-20 degree right bank. The witness lost sight of the airplane behind trees; however he heard the airplane's power reduce to idle and then the sound of an impact. Until the reduction of power, the ending sounded like it was "running smooth and at full power." Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed control continuity from the cockpit to the flight controls. Additionally, examination of the engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies. According to the inspector, the accident flight was the airplane's first flight of a 40-hour test period. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4087F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4087F-2004-05-11), registration cancelled 2004-05-11, S/N VI491DD, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sibila VP 1 - Registry model: [Sibila William L VP 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/sibila-william-l-vp-1) (registry code 05611U7) (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: VI491DD - Engines: Volkswagen 1200CC 40 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Samuel Smiley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 2003 - Departed: LUK, Cincinnati, OH - Destination: LUK - Airport: LUK, Cincinnati Municipal-Lunken, runway 21L, 6,101 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 9, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 2,654 total, 1 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: LUK ## 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 20031013029189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031013029189A), Oct 13, 2003: Amtr VP1, Cincinnati, OH, Destroyed. (-23) On October 13, 2003, at 1635 EDT, a sibilia VP1, experimental amateur-built aircraft, N4087F, registered to samuel smiley, collided with the ground while… 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.