Pilot Debrief

AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3 near Pierson, FL — 2017-01-17

Final reportERA17LA091
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Date
2017-01-17
Location
Pierson, FL, USA
Airport
2J8
Aircraft
AMERICAN LEGEND AIRCRAFT CO AL3
Registration
N841ML
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's improper braking during takeoff, which resulted in a nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was performing a touch-and-go landing on the 2,600-ft-long, 200-ft-wide turf runway in a 5- to 10-knot tailwind. The pilot reported that during the takeoff portion of the touch-and-go, the airplane suddenly nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. She reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. About 500 ft of wheel marks were observed on the runway leading up to the wreckage, consistent with a loss of directional control, as the marks were initially along the runway centerline, then deviated to the left, then to the right, and then back to the left. Just before the wreckage, 1 to 2 ft of marks appeared to be skid marks, consistent with heavy braking. Examination of the airplane and testing of the brakes did not reveal any evidence of preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Given this information, it is likely that the pilot improperly applied the brakes during the attempted transition to takeoff, which resulted in a nose-over.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land on runway 23 due to wind conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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