# NTSB NYC90DFJ01: Steele Acrosport II, N896JC, Penn Yan, NY, January 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1990, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Penn Yan, NY
- Coordinates: 42.660182, -77.050796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6602&lon=-77.0508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DFJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DFJ01

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN.  HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE & THE SNOWBANK WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT DRIFTED CLOSE TO THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, SO HE CORRECTED WITH LEFT RUDDER. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK A SNOWBANK, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT, AND HE 'PAID TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO (THE) INSTRUMENTS WITH HEAD IN COCKPIT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N896JC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N896JC-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N 689 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEELE ACROSPORT II (ACROSPORT)
- Registry model: [Steele John J ACRO SPORT II](https://openairdocs.org/model/steele-john-j-acro-sport-ii) (registry code 05646CD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 689
- Airframe hours: 118
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Fink
- Registered owner: David N. Phelps
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1989
- Departed: N-22
- Airport: Penn Yan, runway 10, 3,206 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 7,500 total, 5,000 as pilot in command, 194 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19900103000069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900103000069A), Jan 3, 1990: Amtrea ACROSPORT, Penn Yan, NY, Substantial damage. Struck a snowbank on takeoff roll and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N896JC (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 CEN17LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA295), Jul 30, 2017: Steele Acro Sport  II (N896JC), Loudonville, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
- [NTSB ERA09LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA021), Oct 15, 2008: Steele John J Acro Sport (N896JC), Madison, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat

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.

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