# NTSB WPR11CA322: Dova Aircraft Sro DV-1 Skylark, N3503C, Placerville, CA, July 11, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2011, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Placerville, CA - Coordinates: 38.720554, -120.754722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7206&lon=-120.7547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 6, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administraton - NTSB case key (mKey): 81080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA322 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81080/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81080 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA322 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dova Aircraft Sro DV-1 SKYLARK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=060003S), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dova Aircraft Sro DV-1 SKYLARK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060003S), [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); cases with it: [Dova Aircraft Sro DV-1 SKYLARK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=060003S), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Dova Aircraft Sro DV-1 SKYLARK, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=060003S), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dova Aircraft Sro DV-1 SKYLARK, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060003S), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after taxiing onto the runway, he increased the airplane's throttle to the full forward position and started his takeoff roll. After reaching an airspeed of 55 knots, the front wheel lifted off the ground and began to shimmy. The pilot applied back pressure on the control stick to takeoff, and after reaching approximately 30 feet above the ground, the left wing of the airplane started to stall and the airplane rolled to the left. At this time, the pilot applied a right input on the control stick along with right pedal. However, the airplane continued to roll to the left and impacted the ground substantially damaging the airplane. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that precluded its normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that after taxiing onto runway 23 he increased the airplane's throttle to full and started his takeoff roll. After establishing 55 knots, the front wheel lifted off the ground and began to shimmy. The pilot pulled the stick back to takeoff. After reaching approximately 30 feet above the ground, the left wing of the airplane started to stall and the airplane rolled to the left. At this time, the pilot applied a right input on the stick along with right pedal. The airplane continued to roll to the left and impacted the ground substantially damaging the whole airplane. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that precluded its normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3503C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3503C-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 07/06, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DOVA AIRCRAFT SRO DV-1 SKYLARK - Registry model: [Dova Aircraft Sro DV-1 SKYLARK](https://openairdocs.org/model/dova-aircraft-sro-dv-1-skylark) (registry code 060003S) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 07/06 - Airframe hours: 37 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: SkyView Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Sport Planes Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, June 29, 2011, 5 hours before - Departed: KRBL, Red Bluff, CA - Destination: KPVF, Placerville, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KPVF, Placerville Airport, runway 23, 4,201 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 118 total, 55 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KSMF, 44 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 20110711020239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110711020239A), Jul 11, 2011: Dova Aircraft Sro DV-1 SKYLARK, Placerville, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft stalled during rotation. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81080. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351435&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.