# NTSB CHI06CA272: Boeing A75N1, N985BC, Garrettsville, OH, September 26, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 26, 2006, 18:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Garrettsville, OH
- Coordinates: 41.283332, -81.116668
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2833&lon=-81.1167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Cleveland FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA272

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.  The bush and tree were factors to the accident.

## 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)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The tailwheel airplane swerved to the left during the initial takeoff roll, impacting a bush and tree before coming to rest.  The pilot reported that he was departing from a private grass airstrip at the time of the accident.  The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll the airplane "deviated to the left for unknown reasons."  The pilot reported that "rudder inputs were unable to bring the aircraft back onto the grass runway before the left wingtip clipped a bush."  The pilot stated that the airplane "continued further left, and the left wings struck a tree."  The winds were reported to be calm at the time of the accident.  The tailwheel assembly, brake system, and flight controls were examined and no pre-impact anomalies were found.

## Factual narrative

The tailwheel airplane swerved to the left during initial takeoff roll, impacting a bush and tree before coming to rest.  The pilot reported that he was departing from a private grass airstrip at the time of the accident.  The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll the airplane "deviated to the left for unknown reasons."  The pilot reported that "rudder inputs were unable to bring the aircraft back onto the grass runway before the left wingtip clipped a bush."  The pilot stated that the airplane "continued further left, and the left wings struck a tree."  The winds were reported to be calm at the time of the accident.  The tailwheel assembly, brake system, and flight controls were examined and no pre-impact anomalies were found.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N985BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N985BC-2010-05-24), registration cancelled 2010-05-24, S/N 75-6711, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-6711
- Airframe hours: 7270
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985-N 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006
- Departed: PVT, Garrettsville, OH
- Destination: PVT
- Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; flight engineer, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2006; seat: rear; flight hours: 17,000 total, 168 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: YNG, 20 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 20060926028999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060926028999A), Sep 26, 2006: Boeing A75N1, Garretsville, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot, the aircraft owner, departed narrow grass Private strip that normally has some crosswind component. Aircraft, pulled left during initial…

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.

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