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September 2, 2017 · Dedeaux Gary G GN-1 NO Series · N168BD

Elba, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Elba, AL
Aircraft
Dedeaux Gary G GN-1 NO Series (2016)
Tail Number
N168BD
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA17CA545

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported in a written statement that, after a "successful pre-check," he initiated power for takeoff, and once airborne, "the plane was losing power enough that [the] plane would not clear [the] tree line at the end of the runway." He added that, about 10 ft above the runway, he aborted the takeoff by "throttling back" and made a hard landing on the grass runway. The pilot reported that during the landing, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid for about 50 ft on the runway before stopping. The left wing, fuselage, and engine mounts sustained substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector reported that, about 3 weeks after the accident, the pilot called him to add to his original statement. According to the inspector, the pilot reported that the engine was not losing power, he overreacted to the situation, and put the airplane back on the ground too quickly. The pilot further reported that the airplane did not gain altitude because he did not apply elevator input quickly enough to execute a proper takeoff. The pilot added that he rotated at the speed he normally does when he flies single pilot, but during this flight, he had one passenger on board. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report and did not return phone calls from the NTSB investigator-in-charge.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the initial climb, which resulted in his decision to abort the takeoff and a subsequent hard landing.

Full Narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported in a written statement that, after a "successful pre-check," he initiated power for takeoff and once airborne, "the plane was losing power enough that [the] plane would not clear [the] tree line at the end of the runway." He added that, about 10 ft. above the runway, he aborted the takeoff by "throttling back" and made a hard landing on the grass runway. The pilot reported that during the landing, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid for about 50 ft. on the runway before stopping. The left wing, fuselage, and engine mounts sustained substantial damage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector reported that, about 3 weeks after the accident, the pilot called him to add to his original statement. According to the inspector, the pilot reported that the engine was not losing power, he overacted to the situation, and put the airplane back on the ground too quickly. The pilot further reported that, the airplane was not gaining altitude because he didn't give the input to the elevator at a fast enough rate to execute a proper takeoff. The FAA inspector added during a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, he rotated at the speed he normally does when single pilot, but during this flight he had one passenger on board. The pilot failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report and did not return the phone calls from the NTSB investigator-in-charge.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDedeaux Gary G GN-1 NO Series
Tail NumberN168BD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12F · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 71 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time13:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data