# NTSB SEA98LA134: Nelson Cygnet SF-2A, N191LM, Newberg, OR, July 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1998, 11:49 local (18:49 UTC) - Place: Newberg, OR - Coordinates: 45.320606, -122.979988 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3206&lon=-122.9800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43223/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA134 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control. Factors contributing were the pilot-in-command's lack of experience in make of aircraft (i.e., use of toe brakes) and the fence post. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence post (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis Following touchdown on the runway center line, the homebuilt tail-wheel equipped Cygnet SF-2A drifted left and the pilot-in-command applied right rudder to correct. The aircraft then veered to the right and, in spite of hard left brake and rudder application, departed the north edge of the runway, impacting a fence post. The accident flight was the pilot-in-command's first solo in the toe-brake equipped aircraft. She did possess approximately 100 hours in the tail-wheel equipped Citabria. This aircraft, however, was equipped with heel-brakes, rather than toe-brakes. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1998, approximately 1149 Pacific daylight time, a homebuilt Cygnet SF-2A, N191LM, registered to (as co-owner) and being flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a loss of control on landing rollout at the Chehalem Airpark, Newberg, Oregon. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated at the accident airport approximately 1110. The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge that the accident flight was her first solo in the toe-brake equipped, tail-wheel Cygnet SF-2A, and that she had logged more than 100 hours pilot-in-command time in the heel-brake equipped tail-wheel Citabria she co-owned. She had no other toe-brake experience other than that in the SF-2A aircraft. Winds at McMinnville Municipal airport 8 nautical miles south were recorded at 11553 hours as 4 knots from 350 degrees magnetic. The pilot also reported in her written statement that upon touchdown on the centerline of runway 25 at the Chehalem Airpark she "began applying brakes/rudder" and that the "plane went to (the) left slightly." She then "applied right rudder (and) the plane continued to go hard right dispite (sic) hard application of left rudder and brake." She then "applied throttle in an attempt to correct" and impacted a fence post approximately 50 feet north of the runway center line before coming to rest. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N191LM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N191LM-2013-02-20), registration cancelled 2013-02-20, S/N 191, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NELSON CYGNET SF-2A (CYGNET SF-) - Registry model: [Nelson Mark R CYGNET SF-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/nelson-mark-r-cygnet-sf-2a) (registry code 0569155) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Revmaster 2100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/revmaster-2100) (registry code 52550, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 191 - Airframe hours: 209 - Engines: Continental A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chapman, Sonya, A. - Registered owner: Chapman, Sonya, A. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1998, 2 hours before - Departed: 17S - Airport: 17S, Chehalem Airpark, runway 25, 2,275 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 152 total, 2 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MMV, 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 19980713016589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980713016589A), Jul 13, 1998: Amtr SF2A, Newberg, OR, Substantial damage. (.4)Following touchdown on the runway center line, the homebuilt tail-wheel equipped cygnet SF-2A drifted left and the pilot-in-command applied right rudder to… 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.