# NTSB WPR15CA097: Schneider Richard J Alaskan Bushmaster, N36NC, Newburg, OR, January 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 29, 2015, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Newburg, OR - Coordinates: 45.333332, -123.166664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3333&lon=-123.1667&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 April 21, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90688/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90688 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA097 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll into sunlight, which restricted his visibility. ## 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: [Schneider Richard J ALASKAN BUSHMASTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05611I2), [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: [Schneider Richard J ALASKAN BUSHMASTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05611I2), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Light condition: bright light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Schneider Richard J ALASKAN BUSHMASTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md?model=05611I2), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Schneider Richard J ALASKAN BUSHMASTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05611I2), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schneider Richard J ALASKAN BUSHMASTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05611I2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Schneider Richard J ALASKAN BUSHMASTER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05611I2), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was taking off in a southerly direction from a narrow, tree lined airstrip. During the takeoff roll, sunlight restricted his visibility. The airplane drifted left and subsequently came into contact with numerous juvenile fir trees along the side of the runway. The contact with the trees resulted in substantial leading edge damage to both wings, and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane or engine. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was taking off in a southerly direction from a narrow, tree lined airstrip. During the takeoff roll, sunlight restricted his visibility. The airplane drifted left and subsequently came into contact with numerous juvenile fir trees along the side of the runway. The contact with the trees resulted in substantial leading edge damage to both wings, and the fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36NC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36NC-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 0012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHNEIDER RICHARD J ALASKAN BUSHMASTER (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Schneider Richard J ALASKAN BUSHMASTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/schneider-richard-j-alaskan-bushmaster) (registry code 9570864) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0012 - Year built: 1998 - Airframe hours: 715 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-G4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sanderson Michael E - Registered owner: Sanderson Michael E - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2014 - Departed: 17S, Newberg, OR - Destination: pvt, Newberg, OR - Airport: PVT, Stan Jost, runway 19, 900 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,095 total, 405 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KMMV, 10 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 20150129001169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150129001169A), Jan 29, 2015: Schneider Richard J ALASKAN BUSHMASTER, Newberg, OR, Substantial damage. At approximately 2:30PM, the pilot chose to takeoff to the south, from a narrow private grass strip, (approximately 2 mile east of chehalem airport).… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90688. 690 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 438 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane From Front (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425113&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20From%20Front%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right Side of Fuselage (item 3, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425114&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Side%20of%20Fuselage-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.