# NTSB NYC08CA219: Heldeberg Design Blue Heron Marathon, N5079W, Avon, ME, June 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 13, 2008, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Avon, ME - Coordinates: 44.426387, -70.337776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4264&lon=-70.3378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68253/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA219 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to takeoff from an area that was not a designated runway, and his failure to maintain clearance of trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Heldeberg Designs BLUE HERON MARATHON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05901RV), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Heldeberg Designs BLUE HERON MARATHON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05901RV), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Heldeberg Designs BLUE HERON MARATHON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05901RV), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Heldeberg Designs BLUE HERON MARATHON, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05901RV), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur-built experimental light sport airplane, started the engine in an open grass area in front of his hangar at the airport, and motored the vehicle forward to inflate the parachute. In accordance with his "normal operating practice," he applied full power and began the takeoff roll to the south from the open grass area, which was perpendicular to, and east of, the designated 2,300-foot long by 90-foot wide runway. This area was not designated as a runway. The vehicle lifted off, and when it was approximately 15 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot tried to make a 130-degree right turn to the northwest to continue the climb out along the runway. The pilot was unable to complete the turn or clear the trees on the south side of the runway, and the vehicle impacted the trees at approximately 15 feet agl. The pilot reported that this was the first time he had tried to takeoff from the grass area, while carrying a passenger. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the powered parachute during the accident. The winds reported at an airport 34 miles to the southeast, at the time of the accident, were from 320 degrees at 3 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amateur-built experimental light sport aircraft, Blue Heron Marathon powered parachute, started the engine in an open grass area in front of his hangar at the airport, and motored the vehicle forward to inflate the parachute. In accordance with his "normal operating practice," he applied full power and began the takeoff roll to the south from the open grass area, which was perpendicular to, and east of, the designated 2,300-foot long by 90-foot wide runway. This area was not designated as a runway. The vehicle lifted off, and when it was approximately 15 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot tried to make a 130-degree right turn to the northwest to continue the climbout along the runway. The pilot was unable to complete the turn or clear the trees on the south side of the runway, and the vehicle impacted the trees at approximately 15 feet agl. The pilot reported that this was the first time he had tried to takeoff from the grass area, while carrying a passenger. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the powered parachute during the accident. The winds reported at an airport 34 miles to the southeast, at the time of the accident, were from 320 degrees at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5079W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5079W-2018-03-05), registration cancelled 2018-03-05, S/N HD00035, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Heldeberg Design Blue Heron Marathon - Registry model: [Heldeberg Designs BLUE HERON MARATHON](https://openairdocs.org/model/heldeberg-designs-blue-heron-marathon) (registry code 05901RV) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: H000035 - Airframe hours: 132 - Engines: Rotax 582 DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David E. Avery - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2007 - Departed: 08ME, Avon, ME - Destination: 08ME - Airport: 08ME, Lindbergh Airport, runway 31, 2,300 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; last flight review November 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 139 total, 109 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: WVL, 34 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 20080613846219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080613846219A), Jun 13, 2008: MARATHON, Avon, ME, Minor damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] pilot in command of experimental aircraft N5079W, departed Avon field in farmington, Maine for pleasure flight. [privacy data… 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.