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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

September 17, 2004 · Hebb Avid Magnum · N970JH

Bridgeport, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Bridgeport, CA
Aircraft
Hebb Avid Magnum
Tail Number
N970JH
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX04LA320

Shortly after takeoff in a 90-degree, 10-knot crosswind the pilot lost control of the airplane and it impacted terrain. The pilot said that during preflight preparations for the accident flight, he noted a crosswind from the left that he estimated to be greater than 10 nautical miles per hour, and at 90 degrees to the departure runway 34. Concerned about the crosswind, the pilot decided not to take passengers on the flight, as he had previously planned. The pilot stated that he was familiar with operating the airplane in similar crosswind conditions, and did not encounter difficulty taxing the airplane to the departure runway. After beginning the takeoff roll and becoming airborne, the airplane was upset and the pilot experienced a loss of control. A witness reported that the airplane took off with an estimated 90-degree crosswind to the runway. The windsock was about 90 percent full. During takeoff, the airplane drifted to the left, and climbed to about 100 feet. The airplane then rolled to the right and impacted terrain nose down, 30 to 40 feet east of the runway. The witness said the rudder was deflected fully to the right, and the right aileron was fully deflected down just before the airplane rolled off to the right and hit the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while using crossed controls, which led to a stall.

Full Narrative

On September 17, 2004, about 1341 Pacific daylight time, a Hebb Avid Magnum, N970JH, collided with the ground 15 seconds after takeoff at Bryant Field, Bridgeport, California. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was seriously injured and the airplane was destroyed. The personal cross-country flight departed Bryant Field with the intended destination of Nevada County Air Park, Grass Valley, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a telephone interview with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that he arrived at the Bridgeport airport around 1200. He experienced light turbulence crossing the surrounding mountains, but classified the arrival to Bryant Field as smooth. During preflight preparations for the accident flight, the pilot noted a crosswind from the left that he estimated to be greater than 10 nautical miles per hour, and at 90 degrees to the departure runway 34. Concerned about the crosswind, the pilot decided not to take passengers on the flight, as he had previously planned. The pilot stated that he was familiar with operating the airplane in similar crosswind conditions, and did not encounter difficulty taxing the airplane to the departure runway. After beginning the takeoff roll and becoming airborne, the airplane was upset and the pilot experienced a loss of control. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfuncitions or failures with the airplane. In a telephone interview with a Safety Board Investigator, a witness reported that the airplane took off toward the east, with an estimated 90-degree crosswind to the runway. The windsock was about 90 percent full. During takeoff, the airplane drifted to the left, and climbed to about 100 feet. The airplane then rolled to the right and impacted terrain nose down, 30 to 40 feet east of the runway. The witness stated that the rudder was deflected fully to the right, and the right aileron was fully deflected down just before the airplane rolled off to the right and hit the ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:41 PDT
Nearest AirportBryant Field Airport (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length4329 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHebb Avid Magnum
Tail NumberN970JH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.75 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data