# NTSB SEA06CA095: Helmer Avid Magnum, N124WT, Big Timber, MT, May 16, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 15, 2006, 20:00 local (May 16, 2006, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Big Timber, MT - Coordinates: 46.168609, -109.888336 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1686&lon=-109.8883&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 63687 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63687/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after he diverted his attention to close the aircraft's door during the takeoff roll. Factors include a fence and fence post along the side of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence post (contributing factor) - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis At the beginning of his takeoff roll, the aircraft door popped open, so the pilot shut it. Then a few moments later, the door popped open again, and the pilot closed it a second time. While he was closing the door for the second time, the aircraft veered off the left side of the runway. At that point, the pilot saw that the aircraft was heading for a gate post and a fence, so he pulled the stick back in hopes of clearing the obstacles. But, the aircraft's left wing impacted the post, and the aircraft spun around about 200 degrees, and came to rest with its right wing entangled in the fence structure. After the accident, the pilot stated that his attempt to close the door had distracted him, and that he should have put 100 percent of his attention on the takeoff, and taken care of the door after he was airborne. ## Factual narrative On May 15, 2006, approximately 2000 mountain daylight time, an experimental Helmer Avid Magnum, N124WT, collided with a fence during a takeoff from a private airstrip near Big Timber, Montana. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The pilot was departing in visual meteorological conditions for a local personal flight. According to the pilot, at the beginning of his takeoff roll, the aircraft door popped open, so he shut it. Then a few moments later, the door popped open again, and the pilot closed it a second time. While he was closing the door for the second time, the aircraft veered off the left side of the runway. At that point, the pilot saw that the aircraft was heading for a gate post and a fence, so he pulled the stick back in hopes of clearing the obstacles. But, the aircraft's left wing impacted the post, and the aircraft spun around about 200 degrees, and came to rest with its right wing entangled in the fence structure. After the accident, the pilot stated that his attempt to close the door had distracted him, and that he should have put 100 percent of his attention on the takeoff, and taken care of the door after he was airborne. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N124WT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N124WT), registered now, S/N 124M, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Helmer Avid Magnum - Registry model: [Helmer William B AVID MAGNUM](https://openairdocs.org/model/helmer-william-b-avid-magnum) (registry code 05612F5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 124M - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William B. Helmer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Big Timber, MT - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,941 total, 200 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk ## 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 20060515020959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060515020959A), May 15, 2006: Amtr AVIDMAGNUM, Big Timber, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Not reported to the FAA until 10/11/06 NTSB statement: on may 15, 2006, approximately 2000 mountain daylight time, an experimental helmer avid magnum,… 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.