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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 10, 1995 · Cessna 172N · N739NN

Big Bear, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 10, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Big Bear, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N739NN
Operator
El Toro Marine Aero Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA323

THE OPERATOR STATED THAT NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE IDENTIFIED OR CLAIMED BY THE PILOT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TOUCH AND GO AT THE MOUNTAIN RESORT AIRPORT AND TOUCHED DOWN IN THE FIRST THIRD OF THE RUNWAY. HE APPLIED FULL POWER, RETRACTED THE FLAPS, AND SET THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO FULL RICH. DURING THE GROUND ROLL, THE PILOT DECIDED THAT INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINED TO COMPLETE THE TAKEOFF AND HE ABORTED. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE BIG BEAR AIRPORT IS AT 6,748 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL, AND THE RUNWAY IS 5,850 FEET LONG. THE DENSITY WAS ESTIMATED AT 8,900 FEET. THE PILOT IS A MILITARY AVIATOR ASSIGNED TO FLY LARGE TURBINE POWERED HELICOPTERS. HE HAS LIMITED EXPERIENCE WITH SMALL PISTON ENGINE AIRPLANES.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff attempt, which was necessitated by his failure to properly lean the fuel mixture. The pilot's limited experience in small piston engine airplanes was a factor in the accident.

Full Narrative

On June 10, 1995, at 0820 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739NN, collided with ground obstructions following a loss of directional control during a rejected takeoff attempt at the Big Bear, California, airport. The aircraft was operated by the El Toro Marine Aero Club, MCAS El Toro, California, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind conditions. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from MCAS El Toro on the day of the accident at 0730. The accident was reported to the Safety Board on August 17, 1995. The operator's completed written accident report stated that no mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified or claimed by the pilot. The pilot attempted a touch and go at the Big Bear airport and touched down in the first third of the runway. He applied full power, retracted the flaps, and set the mixture control to full rich. During the ground roll, the pilot decided that insufficient runway remained to complete the takeoff and he aborted. The pilot lost directional control, veered off the runway, and collided with a drainage ditch. The Big Bear airport is at 6,748 feet mean sea level, and the runway is 5,580 feet long. The density was estimated at 8,900 feet. The pilot is a military aviator assigned to fly large turbine powered helicopters. He has limited experience with small piston engine airplanes.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:20 PDT
Nearest AirportBig Bear City (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length5850 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN739NN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEl Toro Marine Aero Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data