# NTSB NYC97LA152: Kenneson Merlin GT, N912AK, Kensington, NH, July 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1997, 08:39 local (12:39 UTC) - Place: Kensington, NH - Location: 42.9270° N, 70.9439° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kensington, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9270&lon=-70.9439&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39408/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA152 ## Probable cause the pilot's inability to obtain and/or maintain control of the airplane after takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot/builder of the airplane departed from a grass strip on the airplane's inaugural flight. After takeoff the airplane began to oscillate in the roll axis with increasing intensity. According to the pilot: 'Shortly after takeoff, at approximately fifty feet the plane started to dutch roll first left then right. I pulled back power and the third oscillation was toward a large pine tree. At this point the aircraft was approximately at a thirty degree bank. As I pulled back further on the power to avoid hitting the pine tree the aircraft brushed the tree and then started a slip to the left toward the ground.' The airplane subsequently collided with the runway. Examination of the airplane did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 1997, at 0839 eastern daylight time, a Kenneson Merlin GT experimental airplane, N912AK, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain after takeoff from Cole Airstrip, Kensington, New Hampshire. The certificated Airline Transport rated pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Cole Airstrip, approximately 0838. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone conversation, the pilot's wife reported to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that she traveled to the airport to watch her husband, the owner/builder of N912AK, take the airplane out for its inaugural flight. She stated that she watched preflight, taxi, takeoff, and initial climb, and that everything appeared "normal." She stated she was momentarily distracted, turned away, and when she looked back the airplane had crashed. The pilot provided a statement to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector by telephone. According to the Record of Conversation: "After a normal preflight checkout and taxi, he made a normal takeoff on runway 34 with no surface winds. He was climbing out of approximately fifty (50) feet when a small 'Dutch Roll' was observed then another 'Dutch Roll' with greater intensity, the third 'Dutch Roll' caused him to drift to the right of the runway toward the top of some pine trees. He reduced the power. The aircraft, in approximately a 30 degree bank, was turned toward the runway. He said maybe he stalled the aircraft as he further reduced the power. He felt the aircraft slide toward the ground striking the left wing, then the nose/prop area before turning 180 degrees and crushing the gear. When the aircraft stopped and the dust settled, the engine was still running normal so he shut it off and waited for his wife to arrive." The pilot further stated: "...the aircraft engine was not the problem and he also had no flight controls problems. He was not sure why the 'Dutch Roll' started or if it would have gotten worse, just that he wanted to get back on the runway in case there was a problem so he wouldn't have to land in the trees." In a written statement, the pilot said: "Shortly after takeoff, at approximately fifty feet the plane started to dutch roll first left then right. I pulled back power and the third oscillation was toward a large pine tree. At this point the aircraft was approximately at a thirty degree bank. As I pulled back further on the power to avoid hitting the pine tree the aircraft brushed the tree and then started a slip to the left toward the ground." The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. An examination of the wreckage was performed by two FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors. Their examination revealed no mechanical deficiencies and they started and ran the airplane's engine at the accident site. At 0855, an airport 15 miles to the north of Cole Airstrip reported the winds from 050 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N912AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N912AK-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 96060, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kenneson MERLIN GT - Registry model: [Kennesson Arnold MERLIN G T](https://openairdocs.org/model/kennesson-arnold-merlin-g-t) (registry code 05604HM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 96060 - Engines: Rotax 912 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Arnold E. Kenneson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, July 23, 1997, 0 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Cole Airstrip, runway 34, 1,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,500 total, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PSM, 15 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 19970723019559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970723019559A), Jul 23, 1997: Amtr MERLIN, Kensington, NH, Substantial damage. First flight of homebuilt it dutch rolled on climbout stalled. Uncontollable rolls. Cause not determined. 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.