# NTSB CHI02LA290: Christen Industries A-1, N9598C, Chetek, WI, September 15, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 15, 2002, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Chetek, WI - Coordinates: 45.310443, -91.650756 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3104&lon=-91.6508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis, Minnesota-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55766 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA290 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55766/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA290 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, and his failure to maintain clearance from the utility pole. A factor was the utility pole. ## 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 - object - utility pole (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was damaged when it struck a powerline pole during takeoff from a private turf airstrip. The pilot stated that the airplane accellerated normally. He said: "At approximate time of liftoff of main wheels the aircraft for unknown reason began to drift off runway centerline to the right. Pilot attempted to correct drift with control inputs to which aircraft did not respond." The airplane's right wing subsequently impacted a powerline pole. A postaccident examination of the airplane failed to reveal any preexisting anomalies. ## Factual narrative On September 15, 2002, at 1440 central daylight time, a Christen Industries A-1, N9598C, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it struck a powerline pole during takeoff from a private airstrip near Chetek, Wisconsin. The takeoff was being made to the north on the north-south oriented grass airstrip. The pilot and his one passenger were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he was taking off from a private turf airstrip. He stated that the airplane accellerated normally, until, "at approximate time of liftoff of main wheels the aircraft for unknown reason began to drift off runway centerline to the right. Pilot attempted to correct drift with control inputs to which aircraft did not respond." The airplane's right wing subsequently impacted a powerline pole. A postaccident examination of the airplane failed to reveal any preexisting anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9598C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9598C-2003-01-27), registration cancelled 2003-01-27, S/N 1101, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Christen Industries A-1 - Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1101 - Airframe hours: 447 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James W. Torseth - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2002, 7 hours before - Departed: Chetek, WI - Airport: Private, runway 36, 2,000 × 50 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, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 5, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 1,224 total, 108 in this make and model, 1,011 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KEAU, 36 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 20020915028729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020915028729A), Sep 15, 2002: Chris A1, Chetek, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) During climb out, aircraft veered to the right. PIC could not control aircraft and hit power pole with right wing while left wing hit power line and… 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.