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NTSB Report
August 26, 1987 · Canton Rutan LONG · N252BC
Port Townsend, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Port Townsend, WA
Aircraft
Canton Rutan LONG
Tail Number
N252BC
Operator
Bob G Caton
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA87LA177
DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT NOTED SLUGGISH ROTATION PERFORMANCE AND RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. WHEN HE REDUCED POWER THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED. HE REAPPLIED FULL POWER AND ABRUPT AFT STICK, TO EXECUTE RAPID ROTATION AND LIFT OFF. THE HAND GRIP SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL STICK. HE ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE END OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DITCH, CROSSED A ROAD AND IMPACTED IN A FIELD.
Full Narrative
DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT NOTED SLUGGISH ROTATION PERFORMANCE AND RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. WHEN HE REDUCED POWER THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED. HE REAPPLIED FULL POWER AND ABRUPT AFT STICK, TO EXECUTE RAPID ROTATION AND LIFT OFF. THE HAND GRIP SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL STICK. HE ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE END OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A DITCH, CROSSED A ROAD AND IMPACTED IN A FIELD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PDT
Nearest AirportJefferson County (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCanton Rutan LONG
Tail NumberN252BC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBob G Caton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D · Reciprocating · 125
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC