L-Bird CCX-2000 N844FC

Summary

On 27 April 2018 at about 17:50 local time, a L-Bird CCX-2000 registered N844FC, operated by L-Bird LLC, was involved in an accident near Hood River, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 April 2018 at 17:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Hood River, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Ken Jernstedt Airfield (4S2)

Coordinates

45.6728, -121.5339

Aircraft

L-Bird CCX-2000

Registration

N844FC

Category

Airplane

Year built

2017

Engines

1

Operator

L-Bird LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hood River → Hood River

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA236

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s decision to take off in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff, the experimental, amateur-built airplane encountered a right crosswind. The pilot applied right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane rolled to the left. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The left wing struck a runway light, and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mounts. The METAR at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 9 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The wind direction was reported as variable between 230° and 320°. The pilot attempted to take off from runway 25. In the recommendation section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented by choosing to cancel the flight due to high-wind conditions. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.