- Date
- June 23, 2004, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place
- Mankato, MN
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N88089Bellanca 8GCBC
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 1, 2004
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Minneapolis-FSDO
- FAA report
- 20040623012209A
- Case key
- 59597
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to initiate the flight given the crosswind wind condition. Additional causes were the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control. The crosswind and the runway light were contributing factors.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a runway light and the ground shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported losing control of the airplane after encountering a wind gust. The pilot reported the wind was from 60 degrees left of the runway heading at 25 knots gusting to 34 knots.
Factual narrative
On June 23, 2004, at 1615 central daylight time, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N88089, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a runway light and the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 33 (5,400 feet by 100 feet, asphalt), at the Mankato Regional Airport, Mankato, Minnesota. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was bound for the Tri-County Regional Airport, Lone Rock, Wisconsin.
In a written report, the pilot stated, "I was hit by a gust of wind that raised the tail and left wing. I drifted from the runway and while trying to maintain horizontal control the tail area impacted a runway marker light which enhanced horizontal instability. I began to climb but lost horizontal stability and impacted the ground." The pilot reported the wind was from 270 degrees at 25 knots gusting to 34 knots. He also reported no malfunctions of the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N88089
- Reported as
- Bellanca 8GCBC
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 1974-74
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-C2E, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Charles J. Aber
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- MKT · Mankato, MN
- Destination
- LNR · Lone Rock, WI
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 56
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Last flight review
- May 10, 2004
- Flight hours
- 500 total · 210 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N88089 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.