# NTSB CHI00LA213: Cessna 120, N2961N, Shawano, WI, July 21, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2000, 14:12 local (19:12 UTC) - Place: Shawano, WI - Coordinates: 44.769218, -88.579452 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7692&lon=-88.5795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51069 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51069/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA213 ## Probable cause Inadequate preflight planning and the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor was the road embankment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane received substantial damage from ground impact with terrain during an aborted takeoff from an alfalfa field that was about 1,700 feet in length. The field had recently been harvested and the stubble was about 6 to 8 inches in height. The field had a slight incline in the direction of takeoff. The pilot reported the engine failed to produce adequate horsepower to depart the field. He reported the airplane settled back to the ground and went across a road embankment that damaged the fixed landing gear. An inspection of the airplane revealed the fuel tanks were full. The engine compression, sparks plugs, and pitot were checked and no anomalies were noted. The propeller blades were bent forward. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2000, at 1510 central daylight time, a Cessna 120, N2961N, was substantially damaged during an on ground collision with terrain following an aborted takeoff from a private airstrip near Clintonville, Wisconsin. The personal flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the engine failed to produce adequate horsepower to depart a grass field that was about 1,700 feet long. He reported the airplane settled back to the ground and went across a road embankment that damaged the fixed landing gear. A FAA airworthiness inspector reported in a phone conversation that the field was an alfalfa field that had recently been harvested and the stubble was about 6 to 8 inches in height. He reported that the field had a slight incline in the direction of takeoff. The inspection of the airplane revealed the fuel tanks were full. The engine compression, sparks plugs, and pitot were checked and no anomalies were noted. He reported the propeller blades were bent forward. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2961N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2961N-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 13219, 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: 13219 - Airframe hours: 1380 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ronald G Boyte - Registered owner: Jeffrey Lange - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1999, 50 hours before - Departed: PVT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 35 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CLI, 15 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 20000721036719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000721036719A), Jul 21, 2000: Cessna 120, Clintonville, WI, No damage. (-23) Pilot aborted take-off from farm field, due to unacceptable rate of climb to miss power lines. Aircraft impacted road ditch damaging landing gear. 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.