- Date
- August 25, 1999, 17:49 local (21:49 UTC)
- Place
- Block Island, RI
- Injuries
- 1 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N111TEAeromot AMT-300
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 30, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19990825042359A
- Case key
- 47208
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 pilot's failure to abort the takeoff
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that, during takeoff, he was unable to clear trees at the end of the runway. He added that the normal takeoff distance for the powered glider was 800 feet. He did not know why the 2,501 foot long runway was not sufficient, but added that the engine was producing full power. He further stated that he should have aborted the takeoff. The pilot and passenger could not remember the position of the spoilers prior to takeoff. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal the pre-impact position of the spoilers. The Inspector added that a large portion of the wreckage was consumed by fire.
Factual narrative
On August 25, 1999, about 1749 Eastern Daylight Time, an Aeromot AMT-300 (powered glider), N111TE, was destroyed during takeoff from Block Island State Airport (BID), Block Island, Rhode Island. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, destined for Hartford-Brainard Airport, Hartford, Connecticut. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated that he completed a preflight inspection of the powered glider, performed a run-up, and departed Runway 28 at BID. During the takeoff, he was unable to clear trees at the end of the runway. He added that the normal takeoff distance for the powered glider was 800 feet. The pilot did not know why the 2,501 foot long runway was not sufficient, but said that the engine was producing full power. He further stated that in retrospect, he should have aborted the takeoff.
When asked about the spoilers, the pilot stated that he sometimes used them during taxi. He had to back-taxi on Runway 28, but could not remember if he used the spoilers. When asked if he departed with the spoilers deployed, he stated that it was possible.
The passenger was asked about the spoilers. She stated that, after the accident, she and the pilot discussed the possibility of departing with the spoilers deployed. They could not remember the position of the spoilers prior to takeoff.
Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The Inspector observed the left wing spoiler in the extended position, but could not determine the pre-impact position. The Inspector added that a large portion of the wreckage was consumed by fire.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N111TE
- Reported as
- Aeromot AMT-300
- Category
- Glider
- Serial number
- 300.107
- Airframe hours
- 81
- Engine
- Rotax 91L1-F3, 115 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Edward K. Darcy
- Registered owner
- Tropicana Charters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 20, 1999 · 57 hours before
- Departed
- BID
- Destination
- HFD · Hartford, CT
- Airport
- BID · Block Island State Apt, runway 28, 2,501 × 100 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
- 46
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 412 total · 40 in this make and model · 345 as pilot in command · 70 in the last 90 days · 34 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- BID
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.