# NTSB SEA07CA271: Langley Tri-Quickie, N33LQ, Chino, CA, September 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 25, 2007, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Chino, CA - Coordinates: 33.974723, -117.636665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9747&lon=-117.6367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66749/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA271 ## Probable cause The premature rotation of the airplane on the takeoff roll as a result of the pilot failing the verify the elevator trim position, resulting in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain during an aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - rotation - premature, pilot in command (cause) - elevator trim - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot stated that while taking off on Runway 26R the airplane pitched up, which resulted in a tail strike. The pilot reported that he was able to "...[get] the nose down, but [the airplane] pitched up again for another tail strike." The pilot revealed that after he "chopped the power" the airplane drifted off the runway to the left and subsequently impacted terrain with its left wing, coming to rest in an inverted position approximately 70 feet off the south side of the runway. The pilot stated that no mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane prior to the takeoff. The pilot further stated that the airplane was equipped with a trim control (reflexor) on a push-pull cable that was mounted on the center console aft of the control stick, and operated opposite the "normal" nose up - aft, nose down - forward positions. The pilot reported that he didn't notice the trim position prior to flight and was not able to perform the required [trim] action "at a critical time." The pilot stated, "Failure to observe [the trim] position and reset [the trim] makes this accident 'pilot error.'" As a result of the impact forces both wings and canard were sheared off, the engine separated, and the fuselage was separated forward of the tail section. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that while taking off on Runway 26R the airplane pitched up, which resulted in a tail strike. The pilot reported that he was able to "...[get] the nose down, but [the airplane] pitched up again for another tail strike." The pilot revealed that after he "chopped the power" the airplane drifted off the runway to the left and subsequently impacted terrain with its left wing, coming to rest in an inverted position approximately 70 feet off the south side of the runway. The pilot stated that no mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane prior to the takeoff. The pilot further stated that the airplane was equipped with a trim control (reflexor) on a push-pull cable that was mounted on the center console aft of the control stick, and operated opposite the "normal" nose up - aft, nose down - forward positions. The pilot reported that he didn't notice the trim position prior to flight and was not able to perform the required [trim] action "at a critical time." The pilot stated, "Failure to observe [the trim] position and reset [the trim] makes this accident 'pilot error.'" As a result of the impact forces both wings and canard were sheared off, the engine separated, and the fuselage was separated forward of the tail section. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33LQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33LQ-2010-04-19), registration cancelled 2010-04-19, S/N 001, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Langley Tri-Quickie - Registry model: [Langley James H LANGLEY TRI-QUICKIE](https://openairdocs.org/model/langley-james-h-langley-tri-quickie) (registry code 05645XU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Revmaster 2100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/revmaster-2100) (registry code 52550, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: Revmaster 2100D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Larry L Severson - Registered owner: Larry L Severson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CNO, China, CA - Destination: CNO, China, CA - Airport: CNO, Chino Airport, runway 26R, 4,858 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 14,278 total, 32 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: CNO ## 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 20070925023019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070925023019A), Sep 25, 2007: Amtr TRIQUICKIELA, Chino, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot stated to NTSB that as he increased speed to take off he experienced a severe vibration from the gear. He then pulled aft on the controls to reduce… 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.