# NTSB WPR12CA033: Casler Scott CX-4, N5089Q, San Carlos, AZ, November 9, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 9, 2011, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: San Carlos, AZ - Coordinates: 33.377777, -110.461669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3778&lon=-110.4617&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 February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82278 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82278/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82278 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA033 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate directional control during takeoff. ## 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: [Casler Scott CX-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05621QN), [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: [Casler Scott CX-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05621QN), [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: [Casler Scott CX-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05621QN), [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: [Casler Scott CX-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05621QN), [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: [Casler Scott CX-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05621QN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff from an asphalt runway, the tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a gust of wind from the left, and he was able to correct for it and maintain directional control. As the takeoff roll continued, the airplane encountered a second gust of wind from the left, and the airplane began to veer to the right. Despite the pilot's control inputs, he was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees adjacent to the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff from an asphalt runway, the tailwheel equipped airplane experienced a gust of wind from the left and he was able to correct for it and maintain directional control. As the takeoff roll continued, the airplane encountered a second gust of wind from the left and the airplane began to veer to the right. Despite the pilot's control inputs, he was unable to maintain directional control and the airplane exited the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees adjacent to the runway, which resulted in structural damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5089Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5089Q), registered now, S/N 95, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CASLER SCOTT CX-4 - Registry model: [Casler Scott CX-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/casler-scott-cx-4) (registry code 05621QN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 95 - Engines: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Raymond Schafer - Registered owner: Raymond Schafer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: San Carlos, AZ - Destination: Albuquerque, NM - Airport: 4AZ7, San Carlos Airport, runway 14, 7,335 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 9,000 total, 5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 45 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: IWA, 60 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 20111109026609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111109026609A), Nov 9, 2011: Casler Scott CX-4, San Carlos, AZ, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Had just bought the experimental CX4 aircraft. He was flying the aircraft to albuquerque. [privacy data omitted] Stated he became… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82278. 53 KB in all. - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359805&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.