# NTSB CHI02LA160: Navion Navion A, N8717H, Forest Lake, MN, June 9, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 2002, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Forest Lake, MN - Coordinates: 45.269691, -92.98056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2697&lon=-92.9806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54917 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54917/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54917 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA160 ## Probable cause The pilot not performing an aborted takeoff. The soft turf runway and power lines were contributing factors. ## 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 - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb ## Analysis The airplane was damaged when it impacted terrain following a collision with power lines on takeoff from the soft runway (2,650 feet by 150 feet, turf). The pilot reported that the airplane was slow in accelerating and that after lift off the airplane's left main landing gear snagged a power line. No anomalies with respect to the airframe, power plant, or systems were determined to have existed prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 2002, at 1420 central daylight time, a Navion Navion A, N8717H, piloted by a private pilot was substantially damaged when it struck power lines and subsequently impacted terrain during takeoff and climb from runway 13 (2,650 feet by 150 feet, turf) at the Forest Lake Airport (25D), Forest Lake, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport (CBF), Council Bluffs, Iowa. The pilot stated in a written statement, "Acceleration slow. Lift off [at] 75 mph. Climb slow. Avoided obstructions except for power line. The left main gear struck power line. This spun aircraft 180 [degrees]. Aircraft landed in marsh across the road from the airport." The pilot reported that the runway surface was "moist" at the time of the accident. No anomalies with respect to the airframe, power plant, or systems were determined to have existed prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8717H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8717H-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N NAV-4-717, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Navion Navion A - Registry model: [Navion NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-a) (registry code 6150104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4-717 - Airframe hours: 4043 - Engines: Continental E-225 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Douglas Sellers - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: 25D, Forest Lake, MN - Destination: CBF, Council Bluffs, IA - Airport: 25D, Forest Lake, runway 31, 2,650 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 11, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 711 total, 115 in this make and model, 539 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 17 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: ANE, 10 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 20020609013749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020609013749A), Jun 9, 2002: Tmpson NAVIONA, Forest Lake, MN, No damage. (-23) During a down-wind take-off from Forest Lake Airport MN, a navion N8717H struck power wires with main landing gear, spun around and crashed into a swamp… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54917. 288 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443329&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.