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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 2, 1994 · De Havilland Tiger MOTH DH-82A Tiger MOTH · N38KH

Interlochen, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Interlochen, MI
Aircraft
De Havilland Tiger MOTH DH-82A Tiger MOTH
Tail Number
N38KH
Operator
Elmer E Sandmire
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA267

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 34. THE RUNWAY IS SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY 50 FOOT TREES. HE STATED THAT RIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE WIND SHIFTED 180 DEGREES AND THE AIRPLANE LOST AIRSPEED. HE TRIED TO LAND BACK ON THE RUNWAY BEFORE THE AIRPLANE HIT THE TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE HIT HARD, BROKE THE LANDING GEAR, AND NOSED OVER. THE WIND AT THE NEAREST REPORTING STATION, 13 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, WAS 050 AT 8 KNOTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the pilot to obtain the proper climb rate, and inadequate compensation for wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On August 2, 1994, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a De Havilland DH-82A Tiger Moth, N38KH, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing and subsequent nose over, following a aborted takeoff from the Green Lake Airport, Interlochen, Michigan. Neither the commercial pilot nor the sole passenger aboard the airplane were injured. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions existed for the local personal flight. The pilot was attempting to takeoff on runway 34. The runway is 2100 X 200 feet. The runway is surrounded on all sides by 50 foot trees. The pilot stated the wind shifted 180 degrees and the airplane lost airspeed, right after takeoff. He said he tried to land on the runway before he reached the trees at the end of the runway. The airplane landed hard, broke the main landing gear, and nosed over. The recorded wind at the nearest reporting station, Traverse City, Michigan, was 050 degrees at 8 knots, recorded at 1745. Traverse City is 13 miles northeast of the accident site.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EDT
Nearest AirportGreen Lake Airport (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length2100 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland Tiger MOTH DH-82A Tiger MOTH
Tail NumberN38KH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorElmer E Sandmire
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAvro · GYPSY MAJOR · Reciprocating · 140
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data