# NTSB WPR11CA079: Moyes Bailey Microlite, N7008Z, Newberg, OR, December 22, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 22, 2010, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Newberg, OR - Coordinates: 45.258888, -122.938888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2589&lon=-122.9389&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78052 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78052/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78052 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a dive, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=05901X7), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Flight control system: elevator control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md?model=05901X7), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022730/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05901X7), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05901X7), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901X7), [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. - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901X7), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he leveled the experimental, amateur-built airplane in cruise flight and gripped the control stick with his legs in order to free his hands to perform some aerial photography. The pilot had done the same thing on previous flights, and he was aware that the airplane had a tendency to pitch down and accelerate when not monitored and controlled continuously. After he took some photographs, he grasped the stick with one hand and applied back pressure to reduce the airspeed. While attempting to stow the camera, he inadvertently let go of the control stick, and the airplane descended and accelerated again. Although the control stick was free to move, the pilot was unable to correct the flight path with the elevator, and he deployed the ballistic recovery parachute, and retarded the engine to idle. The airplane impacted terrain nose-first and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact anomalies or failures. The pilot reported that after the accident, he learned it was necessary to retard the throttle in order to successfully recover from a dive. ## Factual narrative The experimental, amateur-built airplane was a high-wing pusher-propeller configuration, with the engine mounted above the wing. The private pilot reported that he had a total flight experience of about 154 hours, including about 36 hours in the accident airplane. The preflight inspection, engine run-up, and takeoff were normal. After the pilot leveled the airplane in cruise flight at an altitude of about 1,300 feet above the ground, he gripped the control stick with his legs in order to free his hands to access and use a camera for some aerial photography. The pilot had done the same thing on previous flights, and he was aware that the airplane had a tendency to pitch down and accelerate when not monitored and controlled continuously. After he took some photographs, he grasped the stick with one hand and applied back pressure to reduce the airspeed. He tried to stow the camera with one hand, but let go of the stick to complete that task. The airplane descended and accelerated again, but to a higher airspeed than the previous time. Although the control stick was free to move, the pilot was unable to correct the flight path with the elevator, and stated that within "a few seconds the aircraft was pointing near[ly] straight down." He deployed the ballistic recovery parachute, and then retarded the engine to idle. The airplane impacted terrain nose-first and sustained substantial damage. The still-inflated parachute dragged the airplane across the ground until the pilot egressed the airplane and collapsed the parachute. Post accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies or failures. The pilot reported that after the accident, he learned from other pilots of the accident airplane make and model that it was necessary to retard the throttle in order to successfully recover from a dive. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7008Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7008Z), registered now, S/N 046, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Moyes Bailey Microlite (Dragonfly) - Registry model: [Moyes/Bailey Microlites Ptyltd DRAGONFLY B MODEL](https://openairdocs.org/model/moyes-bailey-microlites-ptyltd-dragonfly-b-model) (registry code 05901X7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582UL DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ul-dcdi) (registry code 55563, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 046 - Airframe hours: 300 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 3, 2009 - Departed: 2S6, Newberg, OR - Destination: 7S9, Hubbard, OR - Airport: 2S6, Sportsman Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 25, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 154 total, 36 in this make and model, 154 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: UAO, 6 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 20101222053679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101222053679A), Dec 22, 2010: Moyes/Baile DRAGONFLY B, St. Paul, OR, Substantial damage. The pilot took off at approx 14:30 from sportsman airpark (2S6), newberg, OR, to south in an open-air cocpit, experimental light-sport aircraft (elsa), headed… ## Other investigations on N7008Z (2) 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. - [NTSB WPR18LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA204), Jul 19, 2018: Microlites Ptyltd Dragonfly B (N7008Z), Buckley, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. - [NTSB WPR14LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA285), Jul 8, 2014: Bailey-Moyes Microlights Dragonfly B Model (N7008Z), Buckley, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control due to a loss of flight control effectiveness for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78052. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 811 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342170&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Compiled Photographs (5 total) (item 3, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342027&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Compiled%20Photographs%20(5%20total)-Redacted.PDF - METARs (item 4, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342026&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=METARs-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.