# NTSB SEA08CA189: Aeros Venture, N707TN, Maricopa, AZ, August 17, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 17, 2008, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Maricopa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.063888, -112.056945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0639&lon=-112.0569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68827 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68827/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA189 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing and subsequent takeoff attempt, and his misjudging of the required takeoff distance. The soft terrain was a factor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeros VENTURE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=05904NV), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeros VENTURE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05904NV), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeros VENTURE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05904NV), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeros VENTURE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05904NV), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student sport pilot was flying a passenger on a local area flight when he experienced what he described as a "mushy" spot in the engine at approximately 4,500 revolutions per minute. The student pilot landed in the desert to check the engine's spark plugs. After he verified that the spark plugs were fine and performed another run up with no anomalies noted, the student pilot attempted to takeoff. As the aircraft was gaining ground speed, the student pilot saw trees and a gully quickly approaching. He decided that the aircraft would not be able to clear the trees so he reduced power and applied the brakes. The aircraft impacted the gully, the nose gear broke, and the aircraft pitched down and settled to one side. During the accident sequence, the compression strut was damaged and the mast support was bent. The student pilot indicated that he misjudged the hardness of the soil and the terrain was softer than he initially thought. ## Factual narrative The student sport pilot was flying a passenger on a local area flight when he experienced what he described as a "mushy" spot in the engine at approximately 4,500 revolutions per minute. The student pilot landed in the desert to check the engine's spark plugs. After he verified that the spark plugs were fine and performed another run up with no anomalies noted, the student pilot attempted to takeoff. As the aircraft was gaining ground speed, the student pilot saw trees and a gully quickly approaching. He decided that the aircraft would not be able to clear the trees so he reduced power and applied the brakes. The aircraft impacted the gully, the nose gear broke, and the aircraft pitched down and settled to one side. During the accident sequence, the compression strut was damaged and the mast support was bent. The student pilot indicated that he misjudged the hardness of the soil and the terrain was softer than he initially thought. According to 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 61.89, a student pilot may not act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft that is carrying a passenger. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N707TN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N707TN-2018-02-21), registration cancelled 2018-02-21, S/N 896062, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeros LTD Venture - Registry model: [Aeros VENTURE](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeros-venture) (registry code 05901DK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Hirth 2704](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hirth-2704) (registry code 33704, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Weight-shift - Serial number: 896062 - Engines: Hirth 2704 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul Stueland - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: A39, Maricopa, AZ - Destination: CGZ, Casa Grande, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; student, sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 96 total, 94 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: CGZ ## 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 20080817851859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080817851859A), Aug 17, 2008: Aerosl VENTURE, Casa Grande, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot indicated he was filming horses with a camera that was mounted on the right wing. He said the engine had a "flat spot". He said the engine was at… 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.