# NTSB WPR13CA039: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 Bravo, N153TB, Carlsbad, CA, November 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 11, 2012, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, CA - Coordinates: 33.128334, -117.279998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1283&lon=-117.2800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85557 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85557/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85557 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA039 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with parked aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane make/model. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=060001M), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot intended to practice touch-and-go landings on a runway nearly aligned with the reported 9-knot wind, in clear weather conditions. He noted no mention of any wind gusts in the airport’s automatic terminal information service weather information before he took off. However, the pilot noticed light turbulence during the right crosswind and downwind legs in the traffic pattern. After a short approach and a smooth landing, he applied power, achieved rotation speed, and lifted off again. However, when the airplane was only a few feet off the ground, the wind started to blow it left of the center line. Although the pilot applied full rudder and aileron deflection to counter the crosswind, the airplane continued to track toward the side of the runway and was not climbing at a rate that would clear parked aircraft. The pilot aborted the takeoff, and the airplane subsequently collided with the tail of a parked helicopter, spun a few degrees clockwise, and came to rest on its left wing, which sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had flown about 3 hours in the accident airplane, which was a light sport airplane. He believed that because of the airplane’s relatively light weight, it was more susceptible to crosswind and turbulence than other airplanes he had flown. He also noted that the controls were configured significantly different than any of the other airplanes he had flown. His previous flights took place in calm air, and the pilot thought that his time in the accident airplane was insufficient to instill the reflexive familiarity necessary to control the airplane during the accident takeoff. ## Factual narrative The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings with a reported 9-knot wind, clear skies, and no mention of any crosswind gusts. On the right crosswind and downwind legs, the pilot noted light turbulence. After a short approach and a smooth landing, he applied power to achieve rotation speed. However, as the airplane lifted off by only a few feet, it started getting blown left of the center line. Despite full rudder and aileron deflection correction to counter the crosswind, the airplane continued to point across a taxiway. While pointing sideways to the runway, the airplane was traveling at takeoff speed, yet not climbing at a rate that would clear parked aircraft. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff, and subsequently the airplane collided with the tail of a parked helicopter, spun a few degrees clockwise, and came to rest perched on its left wing, which sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had accumulated 3 hours in light sport airplanes, and felt that because of their light weight, they were more susceptible to crosswinds and turbulence than other airplanes he had flown. He also noted that the controls were configured significantly different than any of the other airplanes he had flown. His previous flights in the accident make/model were in calm air, and he felt his time in this make/model was insufficient to instill the reflexive familiarity necessary to control the airplane during takeoff with a strong crosswind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N153TB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N153TB-2014-08-29), registration cancelled 2014-08-29, S/N 081, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P2004 BRAVO - Registry model: [Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO](https://openairdocs.org/model/costruzioni-aeronautiche-tecna-p2004-bravo) (registry code 060001M) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 081 - Airframe hours: 1104 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Plus One Flyers - Registered owner: White Jeffrey M - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 2012, 37 hours before - Departed: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Destination: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Airport: CRQ, McClellan-Palomar, runway 24, 4,897 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 15, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 564 total, 3 in this make and model, 478 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KCRQ ## 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 20121111026471A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121111026471A), Nov 11, 2012: Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P2004 BRAVO, Carlsbad, CA, Destroyed. Pilot [privacy data omitted] was in the process of doing touch and go's in the Tecnam airplane he rented at Palomar airport. After takeoff at Palomar, he was… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85557. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383890&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.