# NTSB NYC05LA098: Norcutt Hornet, Shelby, OH, June 12, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 2005, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Shelby, OH - Coordinates: 40.872776, -82.697219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8728&lon=-82.6972&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 61690 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61690/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain\maintain the proper climb airspeed during departure, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience in the accident airplane make and model. ## 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 - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was departing on his second flight in the airplane, the first with a passenger on board. As the airplane climbed to about 100 feet, at an airspeed of approximately 50 knots, it banked to the right, and descended to the ground. Examination of the airplane after the accident did not reveal any abnormalities with the airframe or engine. The airplane was operated approximately 34 pounds over the maximum gross weight prescribed by the kit manufacturer. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 2005, about 1950 eastern daylight time, an unregistered homebuilt Hornet, was substantially damaged while departing from the Shelby Community Airport (12G), Shelby, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured, while the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot had recently purchased the airplane, and was conducting his second flight in it. The purpose of the flight was also to see how the airplane would perform with two occupants on board. According to the passenger, he and the pilot pre-flighted the airplane, filled both fuel tanks, and then boarded the airplane. The pilot started the engine and taxied the airplane "up and down the grass strip, stating that there should be no trouble for lift off." The airplane was then taxied to runway 18, a 3,174-foot-long asphalt runway, and subsequently departed. The passenger recalled that the airplane lifted off the ground near the end of the runway, and as the airplane rose into the air, the pilot waved to people on the ground. The airplane continued straight ahead, at an airspeed of approximately 50 knots, when it began to bank to the right. The passenger could not recall how high the airplane was above the ground, "but it seemed low." The pilot appeared to be trying to get the airplane under control; however, the airspeed never increased, and the passenger realized that they were going to crash. Several witnesses who were located at the airport observed the airplane depart. They stated that the airplane climbed to about 100-200 feet, then banked to the right and descended to the ground. Some of the witnesses added that the engine seemed to be developing low power. Examination of the airplane after the accident by FAA personnel did not reveal any abnormalities with the airframe or engine. The empty weight of the airplane was approximately 500 pounds when weighed after the accident. On the pilot's most recent application for a third-class medical certificate, dated June 11, 2004, he reported a total of 230 flight hours. The pilot also reported his weight as 186 pounds. The passenger reported his weight at the time of the accident was 240 pounds. According to the airplane kit manufacturer's website, the airplane had a maximum gross weight of 1,000 pounds, and the maximum fuel capacity was 18 gallons. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Norcutt Hornet - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Engines: Hirth 65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard H. Norcutt - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 12G, Shelby, OH - Airport: 12G, Shelby Community Airport, runway 18, 3,174 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 230 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MFD 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.