Summary
On June 17, 2005, a Valentin Taifun 17E (N13BH) was involved in an incident near Waterbury, CT. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilots inadvertent encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees.
On June 17, 2005, at 0925 eastern daylight time, N13BH, an experimental built Taifun 17E motorglider was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during takeoff from Waterbury Airport (N41), Waterbury, Connecticut. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the pilot, during his takeoff climb, when the airplane reached an altitude of 35 feet, the airplane encountered a downdraft caused by trees on the west side of the runway. The airplane seemed to "sag," was unable to continue its climb, and impacted the tree line.
This incident is documented in NTSB report NYC05CA101. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N13BH.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilots inadvertent encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 17, 2005, at 0925 eastern daylight time, N13BH, an experimental built Taifun 17E motorglider was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during takeoff from Waterbury Airport (N41), Waterbury, Connecticut. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to the pilot, during his takeoff climb, when the airplane reached an altitude of 35 feet, the airplane encountered a downdraft caused by trees on the west side of the runway. The airplane seemed to "sag," was unable to continue its climb, and impacted the tree line. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.
Witnesses also reported that the takeoff and initial climb appeared normal; however, at about 30 feet the airplane did not continue to accelerate or climb prior to impacting the trees.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC05CA101