Columbus Metropolitan Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Columbus, Georgia 31909
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 7:15 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot was attempting to take off in an experimental tailwheel-equipped airplane. He stated that the airplane started to accelerate forward on the takeoff roll and pull to the left while he had right rudder applied. The engine hesitated, and he applied more right rudder and full right brake with no results. He aborted the takeoff and applied both brakes to slow the airplane. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with a runway sign; the left main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in structural damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that he had 0.1 hour in the accident airplane make and model. Examination of the wreckage, including the brakes, did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was subsequently test run at full throttle and no anomalies were noted. The airplane owner’s manual indicated that for takeoff, the flaps should be set at 20 degrees and that power should be added slowly to allow airspeed to build and the controls to become effective by the time full power is achieved. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the flaps were in the retracted position. The pilot’s lack of experience in the airplane make and model and unfamiliarity with its operating procedures contributed to his failure to use the recommended flap setting for takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a runway sign. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the airplane make and model, resulting in and his failure to use the recommended flap setting for takeoff.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 5/2/2012
Event Day of the Week Wednesday
Time of Event 715
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Columbus
Event State GEORGIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 31909
Event Date Year 2012
Event Date Month 5
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 323059N
Event Location Longitude 0845620W
Event Location Airport Columbus Metropolitan Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID CSG
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 397
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Unknown
Time of the weather observation 651 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID CSG
Elevation of weather observation facility 397
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation EDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 20
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 17
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 90
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 4
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.09
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 31598
NTSB Notification Source FAA Southern ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Jul 1 2013 1:10PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N540GZ
NTSB Number ERA12LA315
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name BERRY DEAN
Aircraft Model GLASAIR I
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 208
Certified Max Gross Weight 1800
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? Yes
Flight Crew Seats 1
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats 1
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Conditional
Date of Last Inspection Apr 15 2012 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 20
Airframe Hours 84
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type C91
Aircraft Owner Name WADE GEORGE A
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City COLUMBUS
Aircraft Owner State GA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 31909-4714
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name Bernie W. Vasquez
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address --
Operator City Vacaville
Operator State CA
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 95687
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code CSG
Departure City Columbus
Departure State GA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 714
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code MGM
Destination City Montgomery
Destination State AL
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jul 1 2013 1:10PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location 24
Runway Length 6997
Runway Width 150
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --