Pilot Debrief

QUICKSILVER EIPPER ACFT INC GT 400 near Lebanon, CT — 2014-09-28

Final reportERA14LA462
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Date
2014-09-28
Location
Lebanon, CT, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
QUICKSILVER EIPPER ACFT INC GT 400
Registration
N3740A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s misjudgment of the takeoff distance needed to clear trees at the end of the runway.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff from a private airstrip, he used only about half of the available runway length. The ultralight airplane reached about 8 to 10 ft above the ground, and the pilot thought it would clear trees at the end of the runway, so he continued the climb. The nose landing gear subsequently cleared the trees, but the main landing gear caught a treetop. The airplane then turned right, stalled, and descended through the trees to the ground. The airplane was heading into gusting wind during the takeoff. A witness reported hearing the engine running after the accident, and the pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have checked airstrip length before attempting takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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