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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 25, 2004 · Cessna 120 · N1996V

New Castle, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
New Castle, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N1996V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04CA131

The pilot attempted to takeoff from an approximately 1,500-foot portion of a field, on a 270 degree heading. The pilot said he initiated a short field takeoff, and had intended to make a trial run of about 500 feet to test the terrain; however, he felt that the acceleration was so good that he extended the takeoff roll and attempted to break ground. The airplane encountered some uneven terrain and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane nosed over and came to rest in a tree line. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector witnessed the takeoff. The inspector noted that if the pilot had departed to the south, approximately 5,000 feet of terrain was available for the takeoff roll. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he realized he was not going to clear the trees, so he aborted the takeoff and intentionally ground-looped the airplane. Winds reported at an airport located about 9 miles south of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 220 degrees at 10 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to use all available takeoff area and his delay in aborting the takeoff.

Full Narrative

On May 25, 2004, about 1610 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 120, N1996V, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from a field in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was in cruise flight when he experienced a loss of engine power and performed an uneventful forced landing to a field. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector control valve was misaligned, and resulted in a fuel starvation condition. The fuel selector was realigned and the pilot attempted to depart from the field. The pilot further stated: "A short field takeoff was initiated on approximately 1,000 feet of level turf, with approximately 500 feet of down-sloping overrun to the field boundary tree line. I intended to make a trial run of about 500 feet to test the terrain, but the acceleration was so good that I extended the run and attempted to break ground. At this point, the airplane encountered some uneven terrain that prevented it from attaining flying speed...." The pilot elected to aborted the takeoff; however, the airplane nosed over while it decelerated. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector observed the takeoff. The inspector stated that the pilot advanced the throttle and made an approximate 90-degree turn to the right, onto a heading of about 270 degrees. The airplane was about three-quarters of the way across the field when it seemed to gain some lift; however, it quickly disappeared from view. The airplane came to rest at the edge of the field, in the tree line. At that time, the pilot reported that he realized he was not going to clear the trees, so he aborted the takeoff and intentionally ground-looped the airplane. The inspector noted that if the pilot had departed to the south, approximately 5,000 feet of terrain was available for the takeoff roll. Winds reported at an airport located about 9 miles south of the accident site, at 1547, were from 220 degrees at 10 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN1996V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.81 inHg
Observation Time19:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data