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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 3, 2001 · Cessna 180 · N21394

Tucson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 3, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N21394
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX01LA138

The single-engine airplane impacted brush and trees during takeoff from a 850-foot-long private airstrip. The private pilot stated he noticed a momentary loss of engine power shortly after takeoff power was applied. The engine power returned for the remainder of the takeoff roll; however, since the aircraft lost some acceleration at the beginning of the takeoff, the "remainder of the field was required to obtain flying speed." The airplane started to climb, but the airplane's tail impacted a bush at the end of the airstrip and "slowed the aircraft to stall speed." The pilot attempted not to stall the airplane before it impacted two trees. The engine was test run at the salvage facility following the accident. The engine ran through various power settings, including maximum power, with no anomalies noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to attain and maintain a sufficient airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush.

Full Narrative

On April 3, 2001, at 0930 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180 single-engine airplane, N21394, sustained substantial damage when it collided with bushes and trees on departure from the Palo Verde Ranch private airport, Tucson, Arizona. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual metrological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he was departing to the west on the 850-foot-long private airstrip. The pilot reported he applied and obtained full engine power at the start of the takeoff roll. Shortly thereafter, he noticed "a momentary uncommanded decrease of thrust." The engine power returned for the remainder of the takeoff roll; however, since the aircraft lost some acceleration at the beginning of the takeoff, the "remainder of the field was required to obtain flying speed." The airplane started to climb, but the airplane's tail impacted a bush at the end of the airstrip and "slowed the aircraft to stall speed." The pilot attempted not to stall the airplane and flew the airplane in level flight for 200 - 300 feet. The airplane then impacted two trees. The airplane impacted the first tree with the landing gear and fuselage. The airplane's left wing contacted the second tree, and the airplane spun around 180 degrees. The airplane impacted the ground tail first before coming to rest. The engine was test run at the salvage facility following the accident. The engine ran through various power settings, including maximum power, with no anomalies noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MST
Nearest AirportPalo Verde Ranch (0nm W)
Runway26
Runway Length850 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN21394
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 12 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time16:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data