# NTSB BFO94LA039: Cessna 120, N1626V, Chittenango, NY, February 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1994, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Chittenango, NY
- Coordinates: 43.039623, -75.870361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0396&lon=-75.8704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PLANNING/DECISION TO TAKE OFF WITH THE PRESENCE OF A TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOLD AN FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR HE ELECTED TO TAKE OFF DOWNWIND ON RUNWAY 27 BECAUSE THE RUNWAY SLOPES DOWN IN THAT DIRECTION.  HE SAID THE TAILWIND WAS 2 TO 5 KNOTS BUT THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE IN GROUND EFFECT, THE WIND PICKED UP AND THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLEAR THE TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On Saturday, February 12, 1994, at 1430 hours eastern standard time, a Cessna 120, N1626V, collided with a tree during takeoff climb near Chittenango, New York.  The certificated private pilot received minor injuries and his passenger received serious injuries.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The local personal flight was being operated by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.

An FAA safety inspector interviewed the pilot after the accident. The pilot told the inspector that he elected to takeoff on runway 27 from a private airstrip.  He said he performed the takeoff downwind because he would have a greater distance for his takeoff and that he would be going downhill on the takeoff.  The wind at the time of takeoff was reported to be from 060 degrees magnetic at 9 nautical miles per hour.  The pilot stated the airplane lifted off from the runway during the takeoff,"the wind picked up" and it could not gain enough airspeed or altitude to get out of ground effect.  The pilot said "ski caught in tree flipping aircraft on its back."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1626V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1626V-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N 13798, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13798
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas G. Bombard
- Registered owner: Douglas G. Bombard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NY09, SULLIVAN, NY
- Destination: NY09, NY
- Airport: NY09, Luther, runway 27, 1,700 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 888 total, 300 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SYR, 9 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 19940212001979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940212001979A), Feb 12, 1994: Cessna 120, Chittenango, NY, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff downwind. Unable to climbout of ground effect. Ski caught on a tree flipping aircraft over.

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.

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