WPR09LA286

NTSB accident investigation · Wermling KR-2 Rand Robinson · Anaconda, MT · June 13, 2009

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
June 12, 2009, 20:00 local (Jun 13, 2009, 02:00 UTC)
Place
Anaconda, MT
Injuries
1 serious
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N40908Wermling KR-2 Rand Robinson
Defining event
Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report November 9, 2009
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Western Pacific Region
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20090612008589A
Case key
74043

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.

The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and aircraft control during initial climb resulting in a stall/spin.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings.

Analysis

The non-certificated pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, as the tail of the airplane lifted off the runway, the airplane “suddenly took off and went straight up.” He stated that the flight instructor pushed forward on the stick and the airplane subsequently rolled to the left and impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane’s fuselage, wings, and empennage were structurally damaged. The right seat seatbelt and shoulder harness were observed securely fastened and snug against the right seat. The left seatbelt and shoulder harness were found unlatched. The FAA inspector reported that the right seat and surrounding area was intact and exhibited no evidence of a person sitting in the right seat at the time of the accident. According to local law enforcement personnel, there were no reported local hospital admissions by a person being involved in an aircraft accident other than the pilot. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the aircraft flight control system.

Factual narrative

The factual narrative542 words

On June 12, 2009, about 2000 mountain daylight time, an amateur built Wermling KR-2 Rand Robinson experimental airplane, N40908, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground following a loss of control during takeoff initial climb. The non certificated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported in a telephone interview that a person who frequently visited the airport identified himself to the pilot as an instructor and was willing to teach the pilot how to fly. The pilot stated that the instructor offered to take him for a local instructional flight. During the takeoff roll, as the tail of the airplane lifted off the runway, the airplane "suddenly took off and went straight up." The pilot stated that the instructor pushed forward on the stick approximately 50 feet off of the ground. The airplane subsequently rolled to the left and impacted the ground in a nose low attitude. The pilot further stated that he was unconscious for an unknown amount of time following the accident. Upon regaining consciousness, he verified with the instructor, who "was out of the airplane and walking around," that they were both okay. The pilot stated that the instructor told him that he was going to get help, but never returned to the accident site. The pilot extracted himself from the wreckage, and due to his injuries crawled about 1,500 feet from the airplane where he was found by a local pilot the next morning. The pilot further reported that he knew the instructor only by his first name and believed he was not from the local area. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest in an upright attitude about 45 feet left of runway 16 and about 2,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. The engine and forward part of the fuselage were crushed aft. Leading edge crushing and deformation was observed throughout the span of the left and right wings. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to all primary flight control surfaces. The left seatbelt and shoulder harness were found unlatched. The right seatbelt and shoulder harnesses were found securely fastened and tightened down to the seat cushion. The FAA inspector reported that the right seat and surrounding area was intact and exhibited no evidence of a person sitting in the right seat at the time of the accident. According to local law enforcement personnel, there were no reported local hospital admissions by a person being involved in an aircraft accident other than the pilot. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) was not received from the pilot.The automated weather observation system located at Butte, Montana, about 19 miles east of the accident site, reported at 1953; wind from 200 degrees at 16 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 17 degrees Celsius, dew point 6 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of Mercury.

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident.

Aircraft

Registration
N40908
Reported as
Wermling KR-2 Rand Robinson
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
KR-2-2
Engine
Volkswagen, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Shaw Dennis A Jr
Registered owner
Shaw Dennis A Jr
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Departed
3U3 · Anaconda, MT
Destination
3U3 · Anaconda, MT
Airport
3U3 · Bowman Field Airport, runway 16, 6,011 × 75 ft

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
43
Injuries
Serious
Seat
Right
Flight hours
0 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
200° at 16 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 36 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
BTM, 19 nm away

Docket · 8

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2009, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 12.3 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.