# NTSB CHI04CA218: Cessna 305A, N54517, Frankfort, MI, August 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2004, 13:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Frankfort, MI - Coordinates: 44.625, -86.200836 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6250&lon=-86.2008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Grand Rapids, MI FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60071/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA218 ## Probable cause The tow pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff roll and failed to abort the takeoff. Additionally, the tow pilot failed to attain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. The tailwind and the tall grass were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - high vegetation - Fire, other ## Analysis The airplane used for glider aero-tow was destroyed by post-impact fire after it impacted the terrain during takeoff climb. The tow pilot reported that he was departing the grass airstrip with a glider in tow. The glider was positioned to the right of the tow plane. During the takeoff ground run, the glider aborted the takeoff by releasing the tow line. The tow pilot reported that the tow plane "suddenly yawed 45 degrees" to the left and veered off the left side of the grass airstrip and "crossed a marsh/wetland area" southwest of the runway. He reported the airplane was still at full power and was at minimum controllable airspeed. The pilot reported that he continued the takeoff and attempted to climb over a tree line, but the airplane had "insufficient airspeed and stalled." The airplane impacted the terrain and caught fire. The tow airplane utilized had a five point pilot restraint harness and the pilot received minor injuries. He exited the airplane before the airplane was consumed by fire. The glider pilot reported he aborted the takeoff when he saw the tow plane veering toward the left side of the runway. The glider rolled out on the airstrip without damage. An inspection of the accident site revealed that the tow plane was about 30 feet from the left side of the runway when the glider aborted its takeoff. Then the tow plane traveled about 150-175 feet through the tall grass before it lifted off and attempted flight. The tree line was located approximately 250 feet from the point of lift off. At 1415, the observed wind, approximately 28 nautical miles south of the accident site, were 250 degrees at 6 knots. The runway in use was runway 33. The glider pilot reported the wind from the south produced a 5 knot tailwind. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2004, at 1355 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 305A, N54517, was destroyed by post-impact fire after it impacted the terrain during takeoff climb from the Frankfort Dow Memorial Field Airport (FKS), Frankfort, Michigan. The pilot received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 glider aero-tow flight was departing FKS on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The Cessna pilot reported that he was departing the grass airstrip adjacent to FKS runway 33 (4,050 feet by 75 feet) with a Schleicher AS-K13 glider, N14AA, in tow. He reported that during the takeoff ground run, the glider aborted the takeoff by releasing the tow line. He reported that the tow plane "suddenly yawed 45 degrees" to the left and veered off the left side of the grass airstrip and "crossed a marsh/wetland area" southwest of the runway. He reported the airplane was still at full power and was at minimum controllable airspeed. The pilot reported he attempted to climb over a tree line, but the airplane had "insufficient airspeed and stalled." The airplane impacted the terrain and caught fire. The tow airplane utilized had a five point pilot restraint harness and the pilot received minor injuries. The pilot exited the airplane before the airplane was consumed by fire. The pilot of the glider reported that the lift off was later than normal and that the glider did not achieve "total lift off." He reported that the gliders were "lifting off the ground slightly long all day." He reported that the tow plane was veering to the left side of the airstrip and toward the embankment that led to the marsh. The glider was positioned to the right side of the tow plane. He reported he aborted the glider's takeoff so that the tow plane could "handle its takeoff or try to get control." He reported the glider rolled out on the airstrip without damage. At 1415, the observed weather at Manistee (MBL), Michigan, located approximately 28 nautical miles south of FKS, was: wind 250 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds 4,800 feet, temperature 23 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, altimeter 30.06 inches of mercury. The glider pilot reported the wind was from the south which produced a 5 knot tailwind. A witness reported that the wind at 1130 was 110 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported the total distance the tow plane traveled from the beginning of the takeoff roll to where the glider aborted the takeoff was about 350 feet. He reported the tow plane was about 25-30 feet from the left edge of the airstrip when the glider aborted. He reported the tow plane traveled about 150-175 feet through the tall grass before it lifted off and attempted flight. The tree line was located approximately 250 feet from the point of lift off. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54517](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54517-2005-02-11), registration cancelled 2005-02-11, S/N JV4, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 305A - Registry model: [Cessna-Vansant Interprises-Inc 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-vansant-interprises-inc-305a) (registry code 207408E) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: JU-4 - Airframe hours: 1870 - Engines: Continental O-470-11 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Northwest Soaring Club - Registered owner: Northwest Soaring Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 2004, 25 hours before - Departed: FKS, Frankfort, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review June 17, 2003; flight hours: 1,700 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MBL ## 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 20040808021049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040808021049A), Aug 8, 2004: Cessna 305A, Frankfort, MI, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot Mr. Eugene r. butler was piloting a Cessna-vansant aircraft, formerly a Cessna 305A (bird dog), while towing a schleicher, ASK13 glider,… 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.