N106TBSweeney Preceptor Ultra Pup2005-07-04 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
None

Sweeney Preceptor Ultra PupS/N: 1

Summary

On July 04, 2005, a Sweeney Preceptor Ultra Pup (N106TB) was involved in an incident near Chitina, AK. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, and his premature lift-off resulting in a stall due to inadequate airspeed. The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff was a contributing factor.

On July 4, 2005, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped experimental Sweeney Preceptor Ultra Pup airplane, N106TB, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees, following an uncontrolled descent during takeoff initial climb from a private airstrip, 10 miles east of Chitina, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial certificated pilot and sole passenger were not injured.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC05CA092. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N106TB.

Accident Details

Date
Monday, July 4, 2005
NTSB Number
ANC05CA092
Location
Chitina, AK
Event ID
20050721X01073
Coordinates
61.521389, -144.135559
Nearest Airport
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, and his premature lift-off resulting in a stall due to inadequate airspeed. The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff was a contributing factor.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
SWEENEY
Serial Number
1
Engine Type
None
Model / ICAO
Preceptor Ultra PupFEST
No. of Engines
0

Analysis

On July 4, 2005, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped experimental Sweeney Preceptor Ultra Pup airplane, N106TB, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees, following an uncontrolled descent during takeoff initial climb from a private airstrip, 10 miles east of Chitina, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial certificated pilot and sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) received July 13, the pilot wrote that due to the condition of the grass airstrip, the airplane did not accelerate as fast as he had anticipated, and he elected to "pull the airplane off the ground." He reported that as the airplane attempted to climb he tried to make a left turn toward open ground, but the airplane settled into 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# ANC05CA092