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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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NTSB Report

July 2, 2006 · Kennedy Chinook Plus 2 · N9077M

Willow, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 2006
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Willow, AK
Aircraft
Kennedy Chinook Plus 2
Tail Number
N9077M
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC06LA087

The private pilot was conducting the first test flight of the experimental amateur-built airplane under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot said he elected to takeoff from a dirt road near his house. He reported that when he applied takeoff power the airplane climbed steeply, and he was unable to get the nose down. He said he reduced engine power, and mushed the airplane into the trees at the side of the road. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. An FAA aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane after the accident, said he did not discover any preaccident mechanical anomalies. In his report to the NTSB, the pilot wrote, in part: "I believe I did a departure stall by letting it fly too soon."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees. A factor associated with the accident was an inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On July 2, 2006, about 0645 Alaska daylight time, a Kennedy Chinook Plus 2 experimental amateur-built airplane, N9077M, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees, following a loss of control during takeoff-initial climb, about 6 miles east of Willow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 13, the pilot stated he had just completed the amateur-built airplane, and elected to make the first test flight by taking off from a dirt roadway near his residence. He reported when he applied takeoff power the airplane climbed steeply, and he was unable to lower the nose. He said he reduced engine power, and the airplane settled into the trees alongside the roadway. He indicated the wings and fuselage received substantial damage during the landing. On July 18, the IIC spoke with an FAA aviation safety inspector who examined the airplane after the accident. The inspector said he did not discover any preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. In a written statement dated July 16, contained in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot wrote that after takeoff he moved the stick forward to remain in ground effect, but could not get the tail to come up, and the airplane climbed steeply. He reported that his shoulder harness precluded him from being able to push the stick all the way forward. He noted that he reduced the throttle, and with full back stick, mushed the airplane into the trees at the side of the road. In the portion of the report titled: Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), he wrote, in part: " I believe I did a departure stall by letting it fly too soon."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:45 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftKennedy Chinook Plus 2
Tail NumberN9077M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 UL · Reciprocating · 80
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Sprt · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data