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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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April 21, 1996 · Luttrell-Lacky Breezy · N78LL

Hendersonville, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hendersonville, NC
Aircraft
Luttrell-Lacky Breezy
Tail Number
N78LL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA96LA126

The pilot performed a precautionary landing in a corn field after being unable to locate his planned destination. He determined his position and elected to takeoff, but he did not survey the corn field before takeoff. During the ground roll, the corn rows changed direction, and the airplane failed to become airborne before colliding with a fence.

NTSB Probable Cause

inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, by not adequately surveying the area to be used for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a fence.

Full Narrative

On April 21, 1996, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Luttrell-Lacky Breezy, N78LL, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged on takeoff from a field near Hendersonville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he landed uneventfully in a corn field after being unable to locate his destination. He determined his location and maneuvered the airplane to takeoff. He further stated that he did not survey the field before the takeoff attempt. Initially, during the ground roll he was paralleling the corn rows, but the row direction changed and the airplane continued across the corn rows at about a 45-degree angle. The pilot observed a fence ahead and thought the airplane would be airborne before the fence but the airplane remained on the ground and collided with it.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 EDT
Nearest AirportRitter Airpark (1nm SW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLuttrell-Lacky Breezy
Tail NumberN78LL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data