# NTSB SEA96LA081: Forth Acro 2, N565HF, Rock Springs, WY, April 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 1996, 20:00 local (Apr 18, 1996, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Rock Springs, WY - Location: 41.5947° N, 109.2209° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rock Springs, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5947&lon=-109.2209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42354 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42354/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA081 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff from a road with gusting crosswinds, and his failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were gusts, crosswinds, and windshear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot performed a precautionary landing on a highway because of an oil pressure problem. After a mechanic corrected the problem, the pilot made a takeoff from the highway with gusting crosswinds. During the takeoff the airplane veered into a hillside along the side of the road. The pilot told the FAA inspector that he did not realize the winds were that strong prior to the takeoff, and the airplane 'encountered wind shear resulting in loss of positive directional control.' The reported wind conditions near the accident site about the time of the accident were: wind direction from 270 degrees magnetic at 20 knots, gusting to 26 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 17, 1996, about 2000 hours mountain daylight time, N565HF, a homebuilt Forth Acro 2 airplane, operated by the owner/pilot, collided with terrain during takeoff near Rock Springs, Wyoming, and was substantially damaged. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was destined for Rock Springs and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Salt Lake City, Utah, the pilot performed a precautionary landing on a highway because of an oil pressure problem. After a mechanic corrected the problem, the pilot elected to take off from the highway and continue on to Rock Springs. During the takeoff, a "strong, direct crosswind" and gusts pushed the airplane into a hillside along the side of the road. The pilot told the FAA inspector that he did not realize the winds were that strong prior to the takeoff. No mechanical malfunctions were reported. In a written statement submitted to the Safety Board, the pilot stated: "During takeoff, [the airplane] encountered wind shear resulting in loss of positive directional control." The reported wind conditions at the Rock Springs Airport about the time of the accident were: wind direction from 270 degrees magnetic at 20 knots, gusting to 26 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: N565HF (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: FORTH ACRO 2 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 565 - Airframe hours: 184 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Forth, Harold L. - Registered owner: Forth, Harold L. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1995, 42 hours before - Destination: RKS, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 881 total, 184 in this make and model, 793 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RKS, 4 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 19960417007559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960417007559A), Apr 17, 1996: Amtrso ACRODUSTER2, Rock Spring, WY, Substantial damage. Landed on highway due oil problem. After reports on takeoff drifted into trees. Crosswind component exceeded. 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.