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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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July 19, 2005 · Ratliff Hummel Bird · N707TR

Pittsville, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Pittsville, MD
Aircraft
Ratliff Hummel Bird
Tail Number
N707TR
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC05LA121

The pilot had been building the accident airplane sporadically for approximately 11 years. The accident flight was the pilot's first flight in the airplane, and he had no record of prior flight experience in the same model as the accident airplane. Prior to departure, the pilot performed several high-speed taxis on a 2,750-foot-long, 105-foot-wide, turf runway. During the departure climb, about 200 feet agl, the airplane slowly rolled right and descended into a field about 2,000 feet beyond the end of the runway. Examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity, and did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of control for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.

Full Narrative

On July 19, 2005, about 1045 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Hummel Bird, N707TR, was substantially damaged during impact with terrain, while departing Davis Airstrip (6MD8), Pittsville, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that the pilot had been building the accident airplane "on and off" for approximately 11 years. The accident flight was the pilot's first flight in the airplane. Review of the pilot's logbook revealed that he had accumulated approximately 1,497 total hours of flight experience; all of which were in single engine airplanes. In addition, the pilot flew about 15 hours within the 90 days preceding the accident. There was no record of prior flight experience in a Hummel Bird. Two witnesses at the airport recorded the accident flight with video cameras. The videos displayed the airplane performing several high-speed taxis on runway 36, a 2,750-foot-long, 105-foot-wide, turf runway. The videos did not capture the liftoff from runway 36, but showed the departure climb. About 200 feet agl, the airplane slowly rolled right and descended into a field. The airplane impacted the field approximately 2,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. The FAA inspector examined the wreckage and confirmed flight control continuity. The inspector did not observe any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine. The reported weather at an airport approximately 8 miles west of the accident site, at 1054, was: wind from 220 degrees at 4 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 86 degrees F; dew point 79 degrees F; altimeter 29.99 inches Hg. Toxicological testing was conducted on the pilot at the FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicological report for the pilot revealed: "QUININE detected in Urine DIPHENHYDRAMINE detected in Urine DIPHENHYDRAMINE NOT detected in Blood"

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 EDT
Nearest AirportDavis Airstrip (1nm)
Runway36
Runway Length2750 ft
Runway Width105 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRatliff Hummel Bird
Tail NumberN707TR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagen · Reciprocating · 37
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 80 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data