The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Cincinnati, Ohio
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket
Location: Wilmington, Ohio
Accident Number: CEN21LA301
Date and Time: June 20, 2021, 14:30 Local
Registration: N2932W
Aircraft: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES INC A-1
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The private pilot reported that while taking off on a personal flight, a gust of wind lifted the right wing. The pilot overcorrected, which resulted in a slight left turn and loss of altitude. The airplane was about 4 to 5 ft agl when it struck a barb wire fence that ran parallel to the departure runway. The pilot landed the airplane in a cornfield along the airplane’s flight path. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aft fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was taking off on
runway 19 with wind from 210° at 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with gusting winds, which resulted in an inflight collision with a fence.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Gusts - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Takeoff Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Takeoff Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Landing Collision during takeoff/land
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 38, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: December 19, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 27, 2020
Flight Time: 219 hours (Total, all aircraft), 147 hours (Total, this make and model), 166 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Passenger Information
Certificate: Age:
Airplane Rating(s):
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s):
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification:
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot:
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES INC
Registration: N2932W
Model/Series: A-1
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1989
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1084
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: October 5, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 352 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-C1G
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 180
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: ILN, 1078 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:54 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 345°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2800 ft AGL
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 15 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.81 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 22°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Wilmington, OH
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Wilmington, OH
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Lumberton Airport OH77
Runway Surface Type: Concrete; Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 1008 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2800 ft / 32 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Precautionary landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 39.553116,-83.854927(est)
