Pilot Debrief

DAYTON A BABCOCK STORM near Eustis, FL — 2016-08-20

Final reportERA16LA305
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Date
2016-08-20
Location
Eustis, FL, USA
Aircraft
DAYTON A BABCOCK STORM
Registration
N516VB
Category
Trike
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the loss of engine power due to a malfunctioning alternator, which precipitated the off-field landing, and the pilot’s decision to attempt to take off from an area with high grass, which precipitated the loss of directional control.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that he was conducting a local flight in the weight-shift-control aircraft when the engine lost total power. He added that he landed the aircraft in a field and determined that the main battery was "completely dead," so he obtained another battery and installed it on the aircraft. He test ran the engine before takeoff, and it performed satisfactorily. During the subsequent takeoff in high grass, the aircraft did not accelerate as expected, and the engine began to lose power. The pilot aborted the takeoff and applied the wheel brakes. The brakes locked, and he lost directional control. The aircraft then impacted a fence and a house before coming to rest on its left side. The pilot reported that the alternator on the automotive engine, which had an electronic ignition, was likely not charging and that this resulted in the battery becoming depleted and the subsequent loss of engine power. He also reported that he did not account for the effect of the high grass on the airplane's performance and should have aborted the takeoff sooner.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not consider tall grass effect on performance before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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