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NTSB Report
April 29, 1990 · Ryan Navion A · N4442K
Denison, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 29, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Denison, TX
Aircraft
Ryan Navion A
Tail Number
N4442K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA104
THE DAY WAS HOT AND HUMID. FIELD ELEVATION WAS 705 FEET. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2,700 FEET. THERE WAS A LIGHT WIND FROM THE NORTH, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF UPHILL, TO THE NORTH. THE GRASS RUNWAY HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD SEVERAL DAYS OF HEAVY RAIN, BUT THE WEATHER HAD BEEN CLEAR FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS. THE PILOT SAID HE LIFTED OFF EARLY BUT CONTROL WAS MUSHY SO HE PUT THE NOSE DOWN, AND THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY. PILOT KEPT THE NOSE DOWN TO ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO GET OVER THE TREES. PILOT LIFTED THE AIRPLANE OFF AT THE LAST MOMENT, BUT THE RIGHT WING HIT A TREE. THE AIRPLANE ROTATED 180 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND ENTERED THE WOODED AREA TAIL FIRST. IMPACT TREES WERE 200 FEET PAST THE END OF THE 2,000 FOOT RUNWAY.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT'S ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF WITH CONDITIONS IN EXCESS OF THE AIRPLANE'S PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE UPHILL RUNWAY.
Full Narrative
THE DAY WAS HOT AND HUMID. FIELD ELEVATION WAS 705 FEET. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2,700 FEET. THERE WAS A LIGHT WIND FROM THE NORTH, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF UPHILL, TO THE NORTH. THE GRASS RUNWAY HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD SEVERAL DAYS OF HEAVY RAIN, BUT THE WEATHER HAD BEEN CLEAR FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS. THE PILOT SAID HE LIFTED OFF EARLY BUT CONTROL WAS MUSHY SO HE PUT THE NOSE DOWN, AND THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RUNWAY. PILOT KEPT THE NOSE DOWN TO ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO GET OVER THE TREES. PILOT LIFTED THE AIRPLANE OFF AT THE LAST MOMENT, BUT THE RIGHT WING HIT A TREE. THE AIRPLANE ROTATED 180 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND ENTERED THE WOODED AREA TAIL FIRST. IMPACT TREES WERE 200 FEET PAST THE END OF THE 2,000 FOOT RUNWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:50 CDT
Nearest AirportKidd-Private (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRyan Navion A
Tail NumberN4442K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-185-9 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC