# NTSB DEN06CA093: Cessna 305A, N542EZ, Saratoga, WY, July 6, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 6, 2006, 07:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Saratoga, WY
- Coordinates: 41.434444, -106.817222
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4344&lon=-106.8172&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA093

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain direction control during the takeoff roll.

## 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 encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll the airplane "started veering to the left." The pilot reported that he "applied full right rudder and did not have any response to the directional control." The airplane departed runway 23 to the right. The right main landing gear assembly folded under the airplane fuselage and right wing impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

According to the Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form (6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, during the takeoff roll the airplane "started veering to the left." The pilot reported that he "applied full right rudder and did not have any response to the directional control." The airplane departed runway 23 (8,800 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) to the right. The right main landing gear assembly folded under the airplane fuselage and right wing impacted the ground. The fuselage was wrinkled, and the right wing was crushed and bent aft. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N542EZ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 305A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22169
- Airframe hours: 4978.4
- Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005
- Departed: SAA, Saratoga, WY
- Destination: GWS, GLENWOOD SPRING, CO
- Airport: SAA, Shively Field, runway 23, 8,800 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 900 total, 325 in this make and model, 870 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: RWL, 27 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 20060706012529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060706012529A), Jul 6, 2006: Cessna 305A, Saratoga, WY, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost control of aircraft on take-off roll. Aircraft veered to the right, was over corrected to the left and would not come back to the right to the…

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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