# NTSB SEA03LA039: Kesterson Nieuport 11, N110DK, Independence, OR, February 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 13, 2003, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Independence, OR - Coordinates: 44.866943, -123.208335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8669&lon=-123.2083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Hillsboro, Oregon - NTSB case key (mKey): 56499 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56499/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56499 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA039 ## Probable cause Aircraft control not maintained during takeoff. Factors include soft/muddy terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that the airplane (powered by a 60 horsepower Volkswagen engine) yawed to the right immediately after liftoff. The pilot aborted the takeoff and the airplane settled back onto the ground, well right of the runway. After touching down, the airplane encountered soft/muddy terrain and nosed over. The pilot indicated that his last flight review, conducted in a Cessna 175, was completed on May 15, 1992. ## Factual narrative On February 13, 2003, about 1015 Pacific standard time, an experimental Kesterson Nieuport 11 airplane, N110DK, sustained substantial damage following an aborted takeoff and subsequent nose over at the Independence State Airport, Independence, Oregon. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. During a telephone conversation with an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board, and subsequent written statement (attached), the pilot reported that the airplane (powered by a 60 horsepower Volkswagen engine) yawed to the right immediately after liftoff. The pilot aborted the takeoff and the airplane settled back onto the ground, well right of the runway. After touching down, the airplane encountered soft/muddy terrain and nosed over. In his written report, the pilot indicated that his last flight review, conducted in a Cessna 175, was completed on May 15, 1992. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N110DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N110DK-2016-12-20), registration cancelled 2016-12-20, S/N 006, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Kesterson Nieuport 11 - Registry model: [Kesterson Clayton C NIEUPORT 11](https://openairdocs.org/model/kesterson-clayton-c-nieuport-11) (registry code 05612IE) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 006 - Airframe hours: 0.25 - Engines: Volkswagen 1835 cc 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clayton C. Kesterson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 2003, 0.25 hours before - Departed: 7S5, Independence, OR - Destination: 7S5 - Airport: 7S5, Independence State, runway 16, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; last flight review May 15, 1992; seat: front; flight hours: 800 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: KSLE, 8 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 20030213002029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030213002029A), Feb 13, 2003: Amtr NIEUPORT11, Independence, OR, Substantial damage. (.19) On February 13, 2003, about 1015 pacific standard time, an experimental kesterson nieuport 11 airplane, N110DK, sustained substantial damage following an… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56499. 350 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40178606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.