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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 13, 2004 · Murray DA5B · N1002W

Odessa, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Odessa, TX
Aircraft
Murray DA5B
Tail Number
N1002W
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW05CA005

While performing a high-speed taxi test on his newly completed airplane, the pilot unintentionally became airborne. Not wanting to drop the airplane back on the ground and getting close to the end of the runway the pilot elected to go full throttle and made a wide left turn to return to the runway. On the first approach the airplane was going too fast, so the pilot elected to go around the airfield a second time to perform a "normal" approach. Once past the runway threshold marker the pilot pulled the engine throttle back to idle and on touchdown the airplane bounced back into the air. The airplane then bounced a second time and departed the runway settling into the grass adjacent to the runway. During the rollout the nose gear dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed-over, coming to rest in an inverted position.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for landing.

Full Narrative

On October 13, 2004, approximately 1230 central daylight time, a Murray DA5B single-engine homebuilt airplane, N1002W, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during landing at the Odessa-Schlemeyer Field Airport (ODO) near Odessa, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the same airport approximately 5 minutes earlier. According to the 143-hour pilot, while performing a high-speed taxi test on runway 20 (a 5,703 foot by 75 foot runway), in a newly completed airplane, he unintentionally became airborne. Not wanting to drop the airplane back on the ground, and getting close to the end of the runway, he elected to go full throttle and made a wide left turn to return to the runway. He reported that on his first approach, the airplane was to going too fast, so he elected to go around the airfield a second time to perform a "normal" approach. The pilot further reported that once past the runway threshold marker he pulled the engine throttle back to idle, and on touchdown, the airplane bounced back into the air. The airplane then bounced a second time and departed the runway settling into the grass adjacent to the runway. During the rollout, the nose gear dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed-over, coming to rest in an inverted position. A representative from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and reported that the fuselage was buckled and split just aft of the wing trailing edge. The aft fuselage and vertical stabilizer were also crushed downward. At 1253, the automated weather observing system at Odessa-Schlemeyer Field Airport (ODO) near Odessa, Texas, reported variable wind at 4 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 73 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.98 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CDT
Nearest AirportOdessa-Schlemeyer Field Airpor (0nm)
Runway20
Runway Length5703 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMurray DA5B
Tail NumberN1002W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · Conversion · Reciprocating · 76
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data