# NTSB WPR14CA157: Robert A Miller Murphy Rebel Elite, N3552J, Roundup, MT, April 2, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 2, 2014, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Roundup, MT - Coordinates: 46.474998, -108.543052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4750&lon=-108.5431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89007 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89007/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89007 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control while landing. ## 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: [Robert A Miller MURPHY REBEL ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=056311L), [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: [Robert A Miller MURPHY REBEL ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056311L), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robert A Miller MURPHY REBEL ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=056311L), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Robert A Miller MURPHY REBEL ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056311L), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Robert A Miller MURPHY REBEL ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056311L), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robert A Miller MURPHY REBEL ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056311L), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot-owner was practicing takeoffs and landings in his amateur built experimental airplane. Earlier in the day, he had accomplished several successful landings, and then took a short break. After the break, he flew the airplane again, remained in the airport traffic pattern, and completed an uneventful takeoff and full stop landing. He took off again, made a circuit of the traffic pattern, and set up for a second landing. The pilot described the approach as "perfect," and noted that he was "over the threshold with just the right altitude and airspeed." The touchdown was normal, but during the latter portion of the landing rollout the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder; the airplane turned right, and exited the right side of the paved runway. About 15 feet off the runway, the left landing gear entered a depression associated with a drainage culvert. The left landing gear was displaced aft and up, and the left wing and nose of the airplane struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot did not cite any mechanical problems with the airplane. In his written report on the accident, the pilot noted that pilots must be "really quick" on the rudder and "can't relax until the airplane is back in the hangar" when flying a taildragger. ## Factual narrative The pilot-owner was practicing takeoffs and landings in his amateur built experimental airplane. Earlier in the day, he had accomplished several successful landings, and then took a short break. After the break, he flew the airplane again, remained in the airport traffic pattern, and completed an uneventful takeoff and full stop landing. He took off again, made a circuit of the traffic pattern, and set up for a second landing. The pilot described the approach as "perfect," and noted that he was "over the threshold with just the right altitude and airspeed." The touchdown was normal, but during the latter portion of the landing rollout the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder; the airplane turned right, and exited the right side of the paved runway. About 15 feet off the runway, the left landing gear entered a depression associated with a drainage culvert. The left landing gear was displaced aft and up, and the left wing and nose of the airplane struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot did not cite any mechanical problems with the airplane. In his written report on the accident, the pilot noted that pilots must be "really quick" on the rudder and "can't relax until the airplane is back in the hangar" when flying a taildragger. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3552J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3552J), registered now, S/N 653E, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBERT A MILLER MURPHY REBEL ELITE (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Robert A Miller MURPHY REBEL ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/robert-a-miller-murphy-rebel-elite) (registry code 056311L) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 653E - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 20 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Miller Robert A - Registered owner: Miller Robert A - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 15, 2013, 20 hours before - Departed: KRPX, Roundup, MT - Destination: KRPX, Roundup, MT - Airport: KRPX, Roundup Airport, runway 07, 5,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: none; private, recreational, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 534 total, 20 in this make and model, 534 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Icing: Unknown ## 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 20140402003289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140402003289A), Apr 2, 2014: Robert A Miller MURPHY REBEL ELITE, Roundup, MT, Substantial damage. On April 2, 2014, at 1700 MDT, a Murphy Rebel Elite, N3552J, registered to an individual, lost control on rollout after landing at Roundup Airport, Roundup,… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89007. 466 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415003&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415004&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Left Front View of Airplane (item 3, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415005&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Left%20Front%20View%20of%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Left Wing Damage (item 4, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415006&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Left%20Wing%20Damage-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.