# NTSB NYC08CA294: Sacrey W Michael Zenair CH, N404BB, Fincastle, VA, August 22, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2008, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Fincastle, VA - Coordinates: 37.491943, -79.928611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4919&lon=-79.9286&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68810 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68810/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA294 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent premature rotation during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sacrey W Michael ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05616N0), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sacrey W Michael ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=05616N0), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Sacrey W Michael ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05616N0), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Sacrey W Michael ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05616N0), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Sacrey W Michael ZENAIR CH 701 SP, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05616N0), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amateur-built Zenair CH 701SP was departing from a turf runway. He reported that he pulled the control stick back too far in an effort to reduce the weight on the nose wheel, which resulted in the airplane becoming airborne prematurely. The airplane did not have enough airspeed for the pilot to be able to maintain directional control. It turned left, descended, and struck trees located off the left side of the runway. He did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane, nor were any found during post-accident examination. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amateur-built Zenair CH 701SP, was departing from a 2,100-foot-long, turf runway. He reported that he pulled the control stick back too far, in an effort to reduce the weight on the nose-wheel, which resulted in the airplane becoming airborne prematurely. The airplane did not have enough airspeed for the pilot to be able to maintain directional control. It turned left, descended, and struck trees located off the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained damage to both wings, the empennage, and the forward portion of the fuselage. The pilot reported 2,021 hours of total flight experience, which included 13 hours in same make and model as the accident airplane. He did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane, nor were any found during postaccident examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N404BB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N404BB), registered now, S/N 7-9475 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SACREY W MICHAEL ZENAIR CH (701SP) - Registry model: [Sacrey W Michael ZENAIR CH 701 SP](https://openairdocs.org/model/sacrey-w-michael-zenair-ch-701-sp) (registry code 05616N0) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7-9475 - Airframe hours: 135 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 15, 2008 - Departed: VA04, Fincastle, VA - Destination: VA04, Fincastle, VA - Airport: VA04, Barrows, runway 08, 2,100 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2008; flight hours: 2,021 total, 13 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: ROA, 10 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 20080822844679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080822844679A), Aug 22, 2008: Amtr CH701SP, Fincastle, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) In a written statement provided by the pilot, he stated that "after completing the takeoff checklist gave unit takeoff power. Unit was moving very slow,… 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.