# NTSB ATL06CA064: Cessna L-19, N711WN, Kenly, NC, April 12, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 12, 2006, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Kenly, NC - Coordinates: 35.594722, -78.095275 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5947&lon=-78.0953&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Greensboro FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 63533 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63533/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA064 ## Probable cause The pilot's continued operation of the airplane with known deficiencies (tail wheel steering) which resulted in loss of directional control during the takeoff roll, and a ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,steering system - loose - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent ## Analysis The pilot stated that during his initial takeoff roll he applied full right rudder and gradually advanced the throttle to full power. The pilot stated as full power was attained the aircraft veered to the left, and before he could regain control of the airplane it ground looped. The airplane bounced sideways causing the right main landing gear to separate from the airframe resulting in a propeller strike and the buckling of the right wing. The pilot reported that during the last annual inspection the tail wheel steering springs and chains were replaced. The pilot conducted four flights after the annual inspection and noticed that the airplane steered left, but he did not return the airplane for correction of the problem. ## Factual narrative On April 12, 2006, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna L-19, N771WN, registered to and operated by a private owner as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced an on-ground loss of directional control during takeoff roll at a private airstrip near Kenly, North Carolina. The airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from the private airstrip at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during his initial take off roll he applied full right rudder and gradually advanced the throttle to full power. The pilot stated as full power was attained the aircraft veered to the left, and before he could regain control of the airplane it ground looped. The airplane bounced sideways causing the right main landing gear to separate from the airframe resulting in a propeller strike, and the buckling of the right wing. The pilot reported that during the last annual inspection the tail wheel steering springs and chains were replaced. The pilot conducted four flights after the annual inspection, and noticed that the airplane steered left. The pilot noted the difficulty on each departure but did not return the airplane for an inspection of the tail wheel steering chains. During the inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector, and a review of the US Army maintenance manual revealed all maintenance procedures were accomplished in accordance with the Cessna T.O. 1L-19A-2 paragraph 2-254 to 2-257. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N711WN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711WN), registered now, S/N 24501 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna L-19 - Registry model: [Cessna L-19E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-l-19e) (registry code 2074016) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24501 - Airframe hours: 6491 - Engines: Continental O-470-11A 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wallace R Nelms - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2006, 22 hours before - Departed: Kenly, NC - Airport: PVT, Kenly Airport, runway 27, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 2,376 total, 65 in this make and model, 2,249 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KRDU, 42 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20060412008079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060412008079A), Apr 12, 2006: Cessna L19E, Kenly, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot began takeoff roll on grass airstrip in Kenly NC. Prior to liftoff (transitioning from a 3 point attitude) the aircraft suddenly turned to the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.