# NTSB WPR09CA404: Jabiru J230-SP, N690J, Reno, NV, August 18, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 18, 2009, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.668056, -119.876388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6681&lon=-119.8764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 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): 74550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA404
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74550/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74550
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA404

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control throughout the takeoff roll.

## 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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [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.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was taking off for a local flight in the traffic pattern. During the takeoff roll, the nose of the airplane rose up and blocked the runway centerline markings. He stated that the airplane drifted to the left edge of the runway, and he attempted to continue the takeoff. The airplane exited the left side of the runway surface, and impacted terrain. The airplane came to rest in a level attitude. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to the nose landing gear assembly, left and right main landing gear assemblies, fuselage, and wing.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was taking off for a local flight in the traffic pattern. During the takeoff roll, the nose of the airplane rose up and blocked the runway centerline markings. He stated that the airplane drifted to the left edge of the runway, and he attempted to continue the takeoff. The airplane exited the left side of the runway surface, and impacted terrain. The airplane came to rest in a level attitude. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed structural damage to the nose landing gear assembly, left and right main landing gear assemblies, fuselage, and wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N690J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: JABIRU J230-SP
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 654
- Airframe hours: 61
- Engines: Jabiru 3300 120 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Erick P Quan
- Registered owner: Erick P Quan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 10, 2009
- Departed: RST, Reno, NV
- Destination: RST, Reno, NV
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: RST, Reno Stead, runway 08, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 30, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 46 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: KRNO, 11 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 20090818016159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090818016159A), Aug 18, 2009: Jabiru J230SP, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot lost control shortly after takeoff from runway 08, and landed in the dirt on the left side of the runway.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74550. 806 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 806 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318245&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.

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