# NTSB WPR14CA178: Elemdorf 1002, Rexburg, ID, April 29, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 29, 2014, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Rexburg, ID - Coordinates: 43.833889, -111.805 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8339&lon=-111.8050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89148/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89148 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control and early rotation during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilots to exercise adequate communication techniques. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): cRM/MRM techniques](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was in the left seat and a pilot rated passenger, who was a certified flight instructor (CFI), was in the right seat. The flight instructor stated that his seat was positioned aft such that he could not reach the rudder pedals. The pilot positioned the airplane on runway 35 for takeoff and said that he rotated a little bit early (70 knots) during the takeoff roll but it was manageable. The flight instructor stated that the airplane swerved left and right before the pilot rotated. The flight instructor called out to bring the throttle back, and described the remaining portion of the flight as porpoising. Both pilots reported that there was confusion in the cockpit. A witness said that he observed the airplane rotate early, enter a steep nose high attitude, and then begin to settle while the elevator was moving up and down erratically. After skidding for 497 feet the airplane went off the end of the runway and into brush causing substantial damage to some fuselage bulkheads and the right wing spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was in the left seat and a pilot rated passenger, who was a certified flight instructor (CFI), was in the right seat. The flight instructor stated that his seat was positioned aft such that he could not reach the rudder pedals. The pilot positioned the airplane on runway 35 for takeoff and said that he rotated a little bit early (70 knots) during the takeoff roll but it was manageable. The flight instructor stated that the airplane swerved left and right before the pilot rotated. The flight instructor called out to bring the throttle back, and described the remaining portion of the flight as porpoising. Both pilots reported that there was confusion in the cockpit. A witness said that he observed the airplane rotate early, enter a steep nose high attitude, and then begin to settle while the elevator was moving up and down erratically. After skidding for 497 feet the airplane went off the end of the runway and into brush causing substantial damage to some fuselage bulkheads and the right wing spar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: C-FOWD (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: ELEMDORF 1002 - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1002 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 295 - Engines: Continental O-470 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Don Thompson - Registered owner: Don Thompson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 28, 2013 - Departed: KRXE, Rexburg, ID - Destination: CEZ3, Cooking Lake - Airport: KRXE, Rexburg-Madison, runway 35, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 465 total, 37 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KRXE ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89148. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 316 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413033&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413034&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of Main Wreckage From Front (Photo Courtesy of Rexburg PD) (item 3, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413035&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Front%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Rexburg%20PD)%0D%0A-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.