N134JW

Substantial
Minor

Stits Aircraft SA3AS/N: JW-1

Accident Details

Date
Monday, July 14, 2008
NTSB Number
DFW08CA185
Location
St Louis, MO
Event ID
20080908X01406
Coordinates
38.726665, -90.508056
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N134JW
Make
STITS AIRCRAFT
Serial Number
JW-1
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1963
Model / ICAO
SA3ASA3
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
RR 3 BOX 38
Status
Deregistered
City
SHELBYVILLE
State / Zip Code
IL 62565-8468
Country
United States

Analysis

The 2,500 hour private pilot was conducting a normal takeoff in a single seat amateur built airplane from the dry 3,120 foot long turf runway and reported that he lost control of the airplane and was unable to climb out of ground effect. The left wing and the nose of the airplane struck the ground, and airplane landed upright. There was substantial damage to the forward firewall, engine mounts, landing gear, and left wing, but only minor injuries to the pilot. The 77 year old pilot reported he had owned the airplane for 18 years and there was nothing wrong with the engine or with the performance of the airplane. He said he was "just too far behind" the airplane and it "got away" from him because it was "so quick and difficult to control". Weather reported at the time of the accident was 10 miles visibility, with few clouds at 5,000 feet, westerly winds at 5 knots, with a temperature of 87 degrees and dew point of 57degrees.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW08CA185