Amateur-built MINICOUPE accident near Baltimore, Maryland, August 16, 2014
On August 16, 2014 at about 1:10 pm local time, a 2013 amateur-built MINICOUPE, registered N853WD, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Baltimore, Maryland (Martin State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot/owner/builder's improper weight and balance calculations, which rendered the airplane uncontrollable in the pitch axis.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 2014 · about 1:10 pm local time
- Place
- Baltimore, Maryland · Martin State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MINICOUPE, built 2013
- Registration
- N853WD · no longer on the register · serial WD00001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot/owner/builder of the airplane, he conducted taxi tests, and then a final engine run-up and flight control check prior to takeoff on the airplane's second flight. After rotation, the airplane reached approximately 3 feet above the runway when the nose dropped, and application of full up elevator had no effect. The airplane struck the runway nose first, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. This was the identical outcome as the first flight several months prior. An FAA inspector estimated that the builder had added about 63 pounds with his modifications to the original airplane plans. The pilot performed the weight and balance on the airplane using bathroom scales and stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. His NTSB Form 6120.1 Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation was: "Re-weigh aircraft with calibrated scales to determine weight and balance. Fix apparent nose heavy aircraft with appropriate movement of the battery or additional weight in the tail section."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft inspection event during prior to flight
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › CG/weight distribution › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weight/balance calculations › Owner/builder
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Owner/builder
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 363 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 272 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 7, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 29, 2013; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 878 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: MTN Baltimore MD
- Destination: MTN Baltimore MD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 6,997 ft by 180 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 1:10 pm from MTN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N853WD the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.