# NTSB NYC06CA135: Flight Design Gmbh, N460CT, Leesburg, VA, May 30, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2006, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Leesburg, VA - Coordinates: 39.078056, -77.557502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0781&lon=-77.5575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63812/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA135 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper remedial action to regain directional control after takeoff. A factor was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - grass - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that just after takeoff, the airplane drifted to the right. The pilot turned to the left using both the control stick and the rudder, and the left wing "dipped." The pilot then moved the control stick and rudder to the right; however, the left wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest at an approximately 30-degree angle toward the runway. The pilot also noted that he took off from runway 17, consistent with landing and departing traffic, but that the winds were from 340 degrees true at 5 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a Flight Design Gmbh reported that just after takeoff, the airplane drifted to the right. The pilot turned to the left using both the control stick and the rudder, and the left wing "dipped." The pilot then moved the control stick and rudder to the right; however, the left wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest at an approximately 30-degree angle toward the runway. The pilot also noted that he took off from runway 17, consistent with landing and departing traffic, but that the winds were from 340 degrees true at 5 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N460CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N460CT), registered now, S/N 05-07-06, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Flight Design Gmbh - Registry model: [Flight Design CTSW](https://openairdocs.org/model/flight-design-ctsw) (registry code 0600001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 05-07-06 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: John Calla, doing business as Liberty Sport Aviation, LLC - Registered owner: Liberty Sport Aviation, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: JYO, Leesburg, VA - Destination: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,235 total, 63 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20060530022239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060530022239A), May 30, 2006: Amtr CTSW, Leesburg, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Second flight of day thru klns/kjyo awas 010/05 departed jyo rwy 17 after rotation aircraft drifted right captain tried correcting but controls did not… ## Other investigations on N460CT (2) 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. - [NTSB CEN12CA499](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA499), Jul 30, 2012: Flight Design Ctsw (N460CT), Hutchinson, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll. - [NTSB DEN08LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA109), Jun 21, 2008: Flight Design Ctsw (N460CT), Von Ormy, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were a proper touchdown point was not possible and the… 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.