Amateur-built CH701 accident near Salem, Oregon, November 1, 2019
On November 1, 2019 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 2009 amateur-built CH701, registered N102PH, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Salem, Oregon (Mcnary Fld airport). It was a flight test 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's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to make his first flight in an airplane he unfamiliar with before waiting for calm winds.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 1, 2019 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Salem, Oregon · Mcnary Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CH701, built 2009
- Registration
- N102PH · registry record · serial 7-8890
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while taking off, the airplane "suddenly jumped" up about 30 ft with a nose-high attitude and rolled right. He corrected by applying left and forward inputs on the flight controls. The airplane then rolled left. Attempting to level the wings, he reduced power, and the airplane impacted terrain. The pilot further reported that it was his first flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane and that he should have waited for calm winds before trying a first flight in an unfamiliar airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience w/ equipment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 280 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 22, 2019
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 0 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 27, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 43 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SLE Salem OR at 10:30 pm
- Destination: SLE Salem OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 5,146 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 pm from KSLE
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.
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.