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August 2, 2003 · Gerlach Skyraider II · N1068S

Oshkosh, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Oshkosh, WI
Aircraft
Gerlach Skyraider II
Tail Number
N1068S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI03FA239

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a road after takeoff. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll was long and the airplane's engine seemed to lose power. He stated that he "released [the] flaps to gain speed but the engine seem[ed] to have less power." The pilot said that after clearing the fence at the end of the runway, he turned right and crashed on the road. The passenger reported that on the accident flight the pilot used flaps during the takeoff and, in his opinion, the use of the flaps produced enough drag to slow the aircraft's speed on takeoff. A witness stated that he observed the accident airplane during the takeoff, and the airplane was "going too slow, too low, and was climbing too steeply." The witness stated that the airplane then stalled and struck the ground. He stated that the airplane's engine was running until the airplane struck the ground. In his written report, the pilot listed no mechanical malfunction of the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, his improper use of flaps during the takeoff, and his failure to attain sufficient airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with a road.

Full Narrative

On August 2, 2003, about 0920 central daylight time, an amateur-built Gerlach Skyraider II, N1068S, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a road after takeoff from the northwest ultralight runway (1,200 feet by 100 feet, turf), at the Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The flight was performed during the annual Experimental Aircraft Association gathering. The pilot reported that the engine lost power during the takeoff. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The local flight was originating when the accident occurred. In a written report of the accident, the pilot stated that the takeoff roll was long and the airplane's engine seemed to lose power. He stated that he "released [the] flaps to gain speed but the engine seem[ed] to have less power." The pilot said that after clearing the fence at the end of the runway, he turned right and crashed on the road. In his written report, the pilot listed no mechanical malfunction of the airplane. In a written statement to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, the pilot stated that the engine power "wasn't up to its normal standard. It did takeoff [and] seemed to get better but all of a sudden it seemed to lose power again. I tried to release the flaps to get some speed and the plane didn't respond." The pilot stated that the airplane kept losing speed and power. He stated that when the airplane cleared the fence, he attempted to land on the road. The passenger reported that the accident flight was his second flight of the day in the accident airplane. He stated that on the accident flight the pilot used flaps during the takeoff. He stated that, in his opinion, the use of the flaps produced enough drag to slow the aircraft's speed on takeoff. A witness stated that he observed the accident airplane during the takeoff. He stated that the airplane was "going too slow, too low, and it was climbing too steeply." The witness stated that the airplane then stalled and struck the ground. He stated that the airplane's engine was running until the airplane struck the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 CDT
Nearest AirportWittman Regional (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length1200 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGerlach Skyraider II
Tail NumberN1068S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsMz · 202 · Reciprocating · 57
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data