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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

July 25, 1995 · Varga TRI-Q200 · N888TQ

Elyria, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 25, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Elyria, OH
Aircraft
Varga TRI-Q200
Tail Number
N888TQ
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC95LA175

THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A STAGGERED TAKEOFF ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, WITH A LEFT CROSSWIND. HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF WHEN THE PRECEDING AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE. ONCE AIRBORNE, AND AT AN ALTITUDE OF 20 TO 30 FEET, HE ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE, AND THEN SANK UNCONTROLLABLY ONTO THE RUNWAY. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD MINIMAL EXPERIENCE IN PERFORMING STAGGERED TAKEOFFS.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's decision to perform a staggered takeoff on the downwind side of the runway, which resulted in a wake turbulence encounter, loss of control in flight, and uncontrolled descent onto the runway. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in performing staggered takeoffs.

Full Narrative

On July 25, 1995, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Varga Tri-Q200, N888TQ, an experimental, homebuilt, airplane was destroyed during takeoff from Lorain County Airport, Elyria, Ohio. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The FAA reported that two airplanes planned to depart Lorain County Airport, destined for the EAA Fly-In, at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and with a planned intermediate fuel stop at Valparaiso, Indiana. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: We departed as a flight of two in a stagger take-off. As the plane (Hiperbipe) ahead of me and to my left started to lift-off, I began my roll for take-off on the right side of the runway. When I reached the speed of 80 MPH, I rotated to take-off. The plane lifted to about 20 to 30 feet above the runway when my left wing dipped vertically down. I righted the plane for a moment and slid behind the Hiperbipe and was caught directly in his slipstream. At this point I had no stick-feeling or pressure. The plane sank to the ground and crashed into the ground on the left side of the runway. The Hiperbipe did not cross my path, nor did I cross behind him until I got into his slipstream. I believe the S.W. wind direction drifted his slipstream to my side of the runway causing the accident. The pilot reported the winds were from the southwest at 12 knots. The FAA reported that the pilot had minimal experience in performing staggered takeoffs. According to the Airport Facility Directory, runway 25 was 5,000 feet log, 100 feet wide, and had an asphalt surface.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest AirportLorain County Regional (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVarga TRI-Q200
Tail NumberN888TQ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data