# NTSB NYC95LA175: Varga TRI-Q200, N888TQ, Elyria, OH, July 25, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 1995, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Elyria, OH - Coordinates: 41.370239, -82.100502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3702&lon=-82.1005&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39016/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA175 ## Probable cause the pilot's decision to perform a staggered takeoff on the downwind side of the runway, which resulted in a wake turbulence encounter, loss of control in flight, and uncontrolled descent onto the runway. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in performing staggered takeoffs. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Vortex turbulence encountered, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command ## Analysis THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A STAGGERED TAKEOFF ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WITH A LEFT CROSSWIND. HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF WHEN THE PRECEDING AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE. ONCE AIRBORNE, AND AT AN ALTITUDE OF 20 TO 30 FEET, HE ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE, AND THEN SANK UNCONTROLLABLY ONTO THE RUNWAY. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD MINIMAL EXPERIENCE IN PERFORMING STAGGERED TAKEOFFS. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 1995, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Varga Tri-Q200, N888TQ, an experimental, homebuilt, airplane was destroyed during takeoff from Lorain County Airport, Elyria, Ohio. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The FAA reported that two airplanes planned to depart Lorain County Airport, destined for the EAA Fly-In, at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and with a planned intermediate fuel stop at Valparaiso, Indiana. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: We departed as a flight of two in a stagger take-off. As the plane (Hiperbipe) ahead of me and to my left started to lift-off, I began my roll for take-off on the right side of the runway. When I reached the speed of 80 MPH, I rotated to take-off. The plane lifted to about 20 to 30 feet above the runway when my left wing dipped vertically down. I righted the plane for a moment and slid behind the Hiperbipe and was caught directly in his slipstream. At this point I had no stick-feeling or pressure. The plane sank to the ground and crashed into the ground on the left side of the runway. The Hiperbipe did not cross my path, nor did I cross behind him until I got into his slipstream. I believe the S.W. wind direction drifted his slipstream to my side of the runway causing the accident. The pilot reported the winds were from the southwest at 12 knots. The FAA reported that the pilot had minimal experience in performing staggered takeoffs. According to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 25 was 5,000 feet log, 100 feet wide, and had an asphalt surface. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888TQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888TQ-1996-01-25), registration cancelled 1996-01-25, S/N 2888 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VARGA TRI-Q200 - Registry model: [Varga William TRI-Q200](https://openairdocs.org/model/varga-william-tri-q200) (registry code 05645H2) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2888 - Airframe hours: 122 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William C. Varga - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 22G - Destination: VPZ, VALPARAISO, IN - Airport: 22G, Lorain County Regional, runway 25, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 524 total, 122 in this make and model, 524 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CLE, 12 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 19950725026449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950725026449A), Jul 25, 1995: Amtr TRIQ2, Lorain - Elyria, OH, Destroyed. Tried staggered takeoff. Other airborne first. Wake turbulence from lead aircraft. Impacted runway. Lacked skill. (-23) pilot of quickie did staggered takeoff… 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.