- Date
- January 5, 2008, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place
- Laurel, MD
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N969PZDean Patrick G Genesis
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 29, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- FAA/FSDO
- FAA report
- 20080105837859A
- Case key
- 67338
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The reason for this occurrence was undetermined.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The amateur-built Genesis was built by the pilot, who was conducting its first test flight. After a normal takeoff, the airplane rolled sharply to the left, at an altitude of about 400 to 500 feet. The pilot momentarily regained control, before losing control again. The pilot deployed the airplane's parachute system and the airplane subsequently impacted trees, before coming to rest on the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or other evidence to explain the loss of control. The airplane had been operated for 5.2 total hours. Its airworthiness certificate was issued about 7 months prior to the accident. During the subsequent months, the airplane became airborne several times during taxi tests without any controllability problems.
Factual narrative
On January 5, 2008, about 1615 eastern standard time, an amateur-built Genesis airplane, N969PZ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain, after a loss of control during the initial climb after takeoff from Suburban Airport (W18), Laurel, Maryland. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) flight plan was filed for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane was built by the pilot, who was conducting its first test flight.
The pilot stated he departed from runway 21, a 2,324-foot-long, asphalt runway. During the initial climb, the engine's exhaust gas temperature readings were "redlined"; however, he considered the airplane's angle of attack normal for the climb. Shortly thereafter, at an altitude of 400 to 500 feet, the airplane rolled sharply to the left. The pilot momentarily regained control, before losing control again, with the airplane pointed straight down, toward the ground. The airplane was equipped with a parachute system, which was successfully deployed by the pilot. The airplane subsequently impacted trees during the descent, before coming to rest on the ground, in a wooded area.
Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or other evidence to explain the loss of control.
The pilot reported that the airplane's airworthiness certificate was issued on June 29, 2007. During the subsequent months, the airplane became airborne several times during taxi tests without any controllability problems. The airplane had been operated for 5.2 total hours at the time of the accident flight.
The airplane was constructed of fiber glass and fabric on a tubular frame and equipped with a Rotax 912ULS series engine. According to paperwork filed with the FAA, the airplane was built by the pilot utilizing a kit manufactured by Slipstream International.
The pilot reported 125 hours of total flight experience, on his most recent application for an FAA third class medical certificate, which was issued on July 25, 2007.
Winds reported at an airport located about 4 miles east of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 140 degrees at 4 knots.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N969PZ
- Reported as
- Dean Patrick G Genesis
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 083
- Airframe hours
- 5
- Engine
- Rotax 912S, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Patrick G. Dean
- Registered owner
- Dean Patrick G
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · June 29, 2007 · 5 hours before
- Departed
- W18 · Laurel, MD
- Destination
- W18 · Laurel, MD
- Flight plan
- Military VFR
- Airport
- W18 · Suburban Airport, runway 21, 2,324 × 40 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 42
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- June 24, 2006
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 137 total · 5 in this make and model · 90 as pilot in command · 9 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 39 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.31 inHg
- Observed at
- FME, 3 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.