# NTSB WPR11CA033: Medway Raven, N75784, Benson, AZ, October 27, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 27, 2010, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Benson, AZ - Coordinates: 31.999444, -110.35778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9994&lon=-110.3578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77717 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77717/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77717 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA033 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the runway condition and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Medway RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05904ND), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Medway RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=05904ND), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Medway RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=05904ND), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070); cases with it: [Medway RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md?model=05904ND), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070) (defining event); cases with it: [Medway RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md?model=05904ND), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Medway RAVEN, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05904ND), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, as he taxied the trike onto the runway and toward the centerline, it encountered a lateral crack across the runway pavement, which caused a noticeable and sharp movement through the foot controls; he felt no other anomalies. He lined the trike on the runway centerline and began the takeoff roll. The trike struck another crack and veered to the right. He attempted to correct back to the runway centerline without success. The trike rolled up on its left side, causing damage to the left wing's keel tube, the control A-frame, left leading edge spar, and sail cloth. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that he wanted to go out on one last flight before the runway was closed for repairs. According to the FAA airworthiness inspector who responded to the accident, the crack in the runway that the trike traversed was about 4 to 5 inches wide and at least 1 to 2 inches deep. The city commenced planned runway repairs several days after the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that as he taxied onto the runway and toward the centerline, the trike encountered a lateral crack across the runway pavement, which caused a noticeable and sharp 'wiggle' through the foot controls; he felt no other anomalies. He lined the trike on runway centerline and readied the trike for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the trike struck another crack, and began to veer to the right. He attempted to correct back to the runway centerline without success. The trike rolled up on its left side, causing damage to the left wings' keel tube, the control A-frame, left leading edge spar, and sail cloth. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that he wanted to go out on one last flight before the runway was closed for repairs. According to the FAA airworthiness inspector who responded to the airport, the crack in the runway that the trike traversed was about 4 to 5 inches wide and at least 1 to 2 inches deep. The city commenced planned runway repairs on November 1, 2010. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75784](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75784-2018-02-28), registration cancelled 2018-02-28, S/N KMR9371, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MEDWAY RAVEN (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Medway RAVEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/medway-raven) (registry code 05904ND) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: KMR9371 - Engines: Rotax 503 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: E95, Benson, AZ - Destination: E95, Benson, AZ - Airport: E95, Benson Municipal Airport, runway 10, 4,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 1,199 total, 120 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: E95 ## 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 20101027050649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101027050649A), Oct 27, 2010: Medway RAVEN, Benson, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot taxied onto the active and as he approached the center line of the runway, the aircraft taxied over a large crack in the runway. The crack is… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77717. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 593 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Broken plastic wheel (FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Broken%20plastic%20wheel%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Crack in taxiway (FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 641 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340176&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Crack%20in%20taxiway%20(FAA)-Master.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.