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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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September 6, 2003 · Avid Flyer · UNREG

Covington, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Covington, NY
Aircraft
Avid Flyer
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03CA194

The pilot initiated a takeoff roll on an 800-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, turf runway. The airplane was not initially aligned with the runway, and the pilot utilized a portion of the takeoff roll to align the airplane with the runway centerline. The airplane's takeoff roll was longer than usual, and once airborne, the pilot thought that the airplane would not clear trees at the end of the runway. Additionally, the pilot thought that there was insufficient runway remaining to abort the takeoff. He increased the airplane's pitch angle and cleared the trees. However, the airplane subsequently experienced an inadvertent stall and impacted a grass field beyond the trees.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff.

Full Narrative

On September 5, 2003, about 1830 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur built Avid Flyer, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain, while departing a private airstrip near Covington, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he departed on runway 25, an 800-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, turf runway. Prior to the takeoff roll, the airplane was not aligned with the runway centerline. The pilot further stated: "...used some of the runway to get on centerline. On takeoff roll I used more runway than normal. Once we were airborne it was too late to abort the takeoff and we found the [altitude] was not enough to clear trees off the end of the runway." The pilot increased the airplane's pitch angle and cleared the trees. However, the airplane subsequently experienced an inadvertent stall, and impacted a grass field beyond the trees. The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The wind was reported as calm, at 1754 and 1854, at an airport approximately 20 miles southeast of the accident site.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 EDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Airstrip (1nm)
Runway25
Runway Length800 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAvid Flyer
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCuyuna · 430 · Reciprocating · 43
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data