# NTSB NYC05CA101: Valentin Taifun 17E, N13BH, Waterbury, CT, June 17, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 17, 2005, 09:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Waterbury, CT
- Coordinates: 41.633335, -73.046669
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6333&lon=-73.0467&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA101

## Probable cause

The pilots inadvertent encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

During the takeoff climb, when the airplane reached an altitude of 35 feet, it encountered a downdraft caused by trees on the west side of the runway.  The airplane seemed to "sag," was unable to continue its climb, and impacted the tree line.  The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.  Witnesses also reported that the takeoff and initial climb appeared normal; however, at about 30 feet the airplane did not continue to accelerate or climb prior to impacting the trees.

## Factual narrative

On June 17, 2005, at 0925 eastern daylight time, N13BH, an experimental built Taifun 17E motorglider was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during takeoff from Waterbury Airport (N41), Waterbury, Connecticut.  The certificated commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, during his takeoff climb, when the airplane reached an altitude of 35 feet, the airplane encountered a downdraft caused by trees on the west side of the runway.  The airplane seemed to "sag," was unable to continue its climb, and impacted the tree line.  The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

Witnesses also reported that the takeoff and initial climb appeared normal; however, at about 30 feet the airplane did not continue to accelerate or climb prior to impacting the trees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13BH-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 1054 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Valentin Taifun 17E
- Registry model: [Valentin TAIFUN 17E](https://openairdocs.org/model/valentin-taifun-17e) (registry code 9370100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1054
- Airframe hours: 655
- Engines: Limbach L2000 EB 79 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Bacon
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2004, 25 hours before
- Departed: N41, Waterbury, CT
- Destination: N41, Waterbury, CT
- Airport: N41, Waterbury Airport, runway 35, 2,005 × 35 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; last flight review November 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 441 total, 6 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observed at: OXC, 11 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 20050617012139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050617012139A), Jun 17, 2005: Valent TAIFUN17E, Waterbury, CT, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the pilot's statement, the aircraft lifted off runway 35 at approximately midpoint, rose to about 35 feet, and failed to continue to climb.…

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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