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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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July 4, 1997 · Moran Teenie TWO · N9753

Pinehurst, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Pinehurst, NC
Aircraft
Moran Teenie TWO
Tail Number
N9753
Operator
James Mcdonaugh
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA97LA204

The airplane was observed to takeoff with a tailwind, became airborne, settled back onto the runway, and bounced three times. The pilot lost directional control, the airplane veered to the left, collided with a taxiway sign, yawed to the left 90 degrees, sheared off the nose wheel, skidded through the grass , crossed a taxiway and came to a complete stop. The pilot reported a partial loss of engine power on takeoff. Examination of the engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to takeoff with a tailwind and improper recovery from a bounced landing. This resulted in a premature lift off, in-flight collision with terrain, on-ground loss of directional control, and subsequent on-ground collision with a taxiway sign.

Full Narrative

On July 7, 1997, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Moran Teenie Two, an unregistered experimental homebuilt airplane, N9753, experienced a loss of directional control on takeoff and crashed at the Moore County Airport, Pinehurst, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he lifted off the runway at 80 mph and reached about 20 feet when the engine experienced a power reduction of about 25 percent. He lowered the nose and the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder and the airplane continued to the left. The nosewheel collided with a taxiway sign, the airplane hit the ground and spun to the left 180 degrees. Witnesses stated the pilot took off downwind and became airborne about 500 feet down the runway. "The aircraft seemed to have a normal take off at first. He bounced the first time and came off the runway about 2-3 feet, he bounced again and came off the runway about 20 feet. When the airplane came down for a third time, pieces came loose and the airplane veered off to the left and came off the runway. He hit taxiway C sign and 2 runway lights. The aircraft spun 180 degrees before coming to a complete stop." Examination of the crashsite revealed the airplane became prematurely airborne, returned to the runway, and high sink rate induced a series of three bounces. The pilot lost directional control about 35 degrees left of runway heading, struck a taxiway sign, yawed to the left 90 degrees, sheared off the nose wheel, skidded through the grass across a taxiway, yawed to the left 90 degrees, and came to rest. Examination of the engine assembly and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction. An NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report was mailed to the pilot on July 7, 1997, and another copy was faxed to the pilot on August 13, 1997. In addition numerous phone calls were made to the pilot's residence requesting that the report be completed. No report was received from the pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 EDT
Nearest AirportMoore County Airport (0nm)
Runway5
Runway Length5503 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMoran Teenie TWO
Tail NumberN9753
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames Mcdonaugh
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · Reciprocating · 36
Seats1

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data