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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

October 15, 1998 · Zeidler Sonerai II · N5DZ

Kenton, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kenton, OH
Aircraft
Zeidler Sonerai II
Tail Number
N5DZ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC99LA011

The pilot said he initiated his first takeoff in the tail-wheeled airplane with the elevator trim set at a nose high attitude, and the airplane lifted off the runway early. When the airplane was 5 to 10 feet above the ground, all visual relationship with runway was lost due to the airplane's limited visibility. The pilot further stated that when airplane broke free of ground effect, it stalled and impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed 90 hours of total flight experience, all in tricycle gear aircraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's premature rotation and failure to obtain/maintain airspeed during the takeoff, which resulted in a stall and impact with the ground. Factors in this accident were the pilot's lack of total experience in tail-wheeled aircraft, and the nose high elevator trim setting.

Full Narrative

On October 15, 1998, about 1845 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Sonerai II, N5DZ, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from the Hardin County Airport (I95), Kenton, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement the pilot said the accident flight was his first flight in the tail-wheeled airplane. After several taxi trips on the runway to establish the airplane's ground handling characteristics, and to familiarize himself with the "visual perspective," a takeoff was initiated. The pilot stated the elevator trim was at a "too nose high attitude." The pilot further stated: "...the aircraft became light on the wheels quite early...once the aircraft was 5-10 feet above the ground, all visual relationship with runway was lost due to the aircraft's limited visibility. Airspeed was 45-50 mph as the airplane ascended to about 20 feet and broke free of ground effect. (Aircraft stall speed is 55-60 mph) At which time the plane stalled straight level and impacted the ground.... Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. A review of the pilot's logbook revealed 90 hours of total flight experience, all in tricycle gear aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 EDT
Nearest AirportHardin County (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length4203 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftZeidler Sonerai II
Tail NumberN5DZ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHapi · 60-2DM · Reciprocating · 60
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data