NTSB Factual Report

On July 15, 2012, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Czech Aircraft Works SPOL SRO model SportCruiser light-sport airplane, N516JG, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at a private airstrip near Waynesville, Ohio. The sport pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Three Wings, LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The local area flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that the accident occurred while he was departing his private airstrip to the west. The east/west grass runway was 2,000 feet long by 150 feet wide. He stated that he noticed an “abrupt change” in the wind direction about halfway down the runway during the takeoff roll. The wind direction reportedly shifted from a left crosswind to a tailwind condition. The pilot stated that he decided to abort the takeoff because he was unsure if the airplane would clear trees located off the departure end of the runway. He attempted to steer the airplane into an adjacent field, but it impacted two fence posts hidden in some shrubbery before coming to rest. The fuselage, firewall, and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

The closest weather observing station was located at the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport (KMGY), about 6.3 miles west-northwest of the private airstrip. At 1330, the KMGY automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 220 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles; few clouds at 2,800 feet above ground level, temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point 21 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 30.13 inches of mercury. The report contained a remark that there was lightning observed in the distant southeast. Available weather radar data indicated that at the time of the accident there were several convective cells surrounding the accident site.

The weather observation station also recorded the wind direction and speed at one minute intervals. A review of the wind data recorded between 1325 and 1335 showed that the wind direction varied between 199 and 266 degrees, and was between 5 and 10 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane's collision with fence posts during an aborted takeoff due to a sudden change in wind direction.