# NTSB WPR09CA256: Westerhout/Gagnier Escapade, N29DY, Healdsburg, CA, May 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 21, 2009, 10:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Healdsburg, CA - Coordinates: 38.63039, -122.88906 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6304&lon=-122.8891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73887/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73887 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA256 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional/lateral control during the initial climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Westerhout D/Gagnier A ESCAPADE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05621SA), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Westerhout D/Gagnier A ESCAPADE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05621SA), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Westerhout D/Gagnier A ESCAPADE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621SA), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Westerhout D/Gagnier A ESCAPADE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05621SA), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Westerhout D/Gagnier A ESCAPADE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05621SA), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said he had completed an uneventful flight earlier in the day. On the accident flight, he performed an engine run-up, which included a magneto check with no mechanical anomalies encountered. He taxied to the active runway (runway 13), and noted the winds were light about 5 knots from the south. The takeoff roll was normal, and they lifted off at 50 mph. After rotation, the airplane started a left bank for no apparent reason. The pilot did not pull back on the control stick; however, he attempted to align the airplane with the runway. He noted that the airplane did not respond to his roll input and continued in the left bank. The pilot also stated that the airplane had started a slight climb just prior to impacting the vineyard. After the initial contact with the vineyard, the airplane became airborne again and then dropped back into the vineyard. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane and he believes that the winds may have shifted to more of a south wind at the time of the loss of control event. Reported winds at the time were from 140 degrees at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he had completed an uneventful flight earlier in the day. On the accident flight, he performed an engine run-up, which included a magneto check with no mechanical anomalies encountered. He taxied to the active runway (runway 13), and noted the winds were light, about 5 knots from the south. The takeoff roll was normal, and they lifted off at 50 mph. After rotation, the airplane started a left bank for no apparent reason. The pilot did not pull back on the control stick; however, he attempted to align the airplane with the runway. He noted that the airplane did not respond to his input and continued in the left bank. The pilot also stated that the airplane had started a slight climb just prior to impacting a vineyard. After the initial contact with the vineyard, the airplane became airborne again and then dropped back into the vineyard. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane and he believes that the winds may have shifted to more of a south wind at the time of the loss of control event. Reported winds at the time were from 140 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29DY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29DY), registered now, S/N JAESC 012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Westerhout/Gagnier Escapade - Registry model: [Westerhout D/Gagnier A ESCAPADE](https://openairdocs.org/model/westerhout-d-gagnier-a-escapade) (registry code 05621SA) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JAESC 012 - Airframe hours: 70 - Engines: Rotax ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Daniel York - Registered owner: Daniel York - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2009, 9 hours before - Departed: O31, Healdsburg, CA - Destination: O31, Healdsburg, CA - Airport: O31, Healdsburg Municipal Airport, runway 13, 2,707 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 14, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 172 total, 17 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: STS, 10 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73887. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.