N39D Dwight Lohr Baby Ace accident

NTSB ERA10CA311 · 2010-06-13 · Carolina Beach, NC · near 03NC

Summary

According to a witness, after performing a touch and go, the pilot initiated a left turnout from the runway, which was bordered by trees on its left side. While still climbing, the airplane's left wing struck a pine tree approximately 1 foot below its top. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest nose-down, almost vertical, in a sandy area next to a parking lot. He also noted a broken branch from a 40- to 50-foot pine tree approximately 1,000 feet from the beginning of the 2,750-foot runway. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of any preimpact failures or malfunctions of the airplane or engine. The pilot did not respond to an NTSB request for information about the accident.

Full narrative

According to a witness, after performing a touch and go, the pilot initiated a left turnout from the runway, which was bordered by trees on its left side. While still climbing, the airplane's left wing struck a pine tree approximately 1 foot below its top. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest nose-down, almost vertical, in a sandy area next to a parking lot. He also noted a broken branch from a 40- to 50-foot pine tree approximately 1,000 feet from the beginning of the 2,750-foot runway, and no evidence of any preimpact failures or malfunctions of the airplane or engine. The pilot did not respond to an NTSB request for information about the accident.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree during initial climb after takeoff. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type: Accident
Highest injury: Serious
Weather conditions: Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition: Day
Sky condition: NONE
Ceiling (ft): 0
Visibility (sm): 10
Wind direction: 250
Wind speed (kt): 9
Temperature (F): 86
Nearest airport: Pilots Ridge Airport
Distance from field: 0.0
Airport elevation: 35

Aircraft

Registration	Make	Model	Damage	FAR part
N39D	Dwight Lohr	Baby Ace	SUBS	091

Sequence of events

#	Occurrence	Phase
2	Initial climb Collision during takeoff/land defining	Takeoff

Findings

Finding
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Climb rate-Not attained/maintained	cause
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot	cause