# NTSB WPR14CA210: Meyers OTW 160, N34341, Tehachapi, CA, May 26, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2014, 13:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.134998, -118.439163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1350&lon=-118.4392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89275 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89275/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89275 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA210 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent collision with a fence. ## 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: [Meyers OTW-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5650208), [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: [Meyers OTW-160, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5650208), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Meyers OTW-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=5650208), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Meyers OTW-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=5650208), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Meyers OTW-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5650208), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he and his pilot rated passenger were in the pattern doing touch-and-go landings when he decided to demonstrate the procedures for a return to airport simulating a loss of engine power after takeoff (downwind landing). At 400 feet the pilot reduced power to idle and executed a 45-degree right turn back towards the runway. The airplane touched down on the main gear about halfway down the runway and immediately swerved to the left. The pilot applied full right brake and rudder control. The left wheel exited the runway on the north side. The pilot was able to maneuver the airplane back onto the runway and realized that the airplane was heading towards the drainage ditch off the end of the runway. With about 1,000 feet of runway left he applied full power and set best climb attitude, but the airplane was not able to clear the fence at the airport perimeter resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he and his pilot rated passenger were in the pattern doing touch-and-go landings when he decided to demonstrate the procedures for a return to airport simulating a loss of engine power after takeoff (downwind landing). At 400 feet the pilot reduced power to idle and executed a 45-degree right turn back towards the runway. The airplane touched down on the main gear about halfway down the runway and immediately swerved to the left. The pilot applied full right brake and rudder control. The left wheel exited the runway on the north side. The pilot was able to maneuver the airplane back onto the runway and realized that the airplane was heading towards the drainage ditch off the end of the runway. With about 1,000 feet of runway left he applied full power and set best climb attitude, but the airplane was not able to clear the fence at the airport perimeter resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34341](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34341), registered now, S/N 86, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MEYERS OTW 160 - Registry model: [Meyers OTW-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/meyers-otw-160) (registry code 5650208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 86 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 1146 - Engines: Kinner Co Kinner R-56 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dodd Lee P Jr - Registered owner: Dodd Lee P Jr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 25, 2013 - Departed: KTSP, Tehachapi, CA - Destination: KTSP, Tehachapi, CA - Airport: KTSP, Tehachapi, runway 11, 4,041 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2012; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,300 total, 700 in this make and model - Pilot-rated passenger; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KTSP ## 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 20140526008109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140526008109A), May 26, 2014: Meyers OTW-160, Tehachapi, CA, Substantial damage. The PIC was on climb out after takeoff from runway 29 at ktsp when he decided to show his friend, how to do a simulated emergency turnback and downwind… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89275. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Tehachapi PD Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Tehachapi%20PD%20Photos-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.