# NTSB FTW92LA012: North American Navion, N8560H, Denison, TX, October 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1991, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Denison, TX
- Coordinates: 33.749359, -96.560844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7494&lon=-96.5608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18401/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA012

## Probable cause

THE EXCEEDING OF THE AIRPLANE'S TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY BY THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION..

## 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
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND WITNESSES, THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO ESTABLISH AN ADEQUATE CLIMB FOLLOWING INITIAL LIFTOFF. IT CLEARED 20 FOOT TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, BUT DID NOT CLEAR A 30 FOOT POWER POLE CROSS BAR AND WIRES. THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED IN CALM WINDS FROM A 1,500 FOOT SOD STRIP THAT HAD AN UPHILL SLOPE. PERFORMANCE DATA INDICATED THAT FOR THE CONDITIONS THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME, THE AIRPLANE REQUIRED AN 875 FOOT GROUND RUN AND 1,775 FEET TO CLEAR A 50 FOOT OBSTACLE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE POWER POLE 1800 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PERFORMANCE DATA DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SOD RUNWAY OR THE UPSLOPE. THE PILOT SAID IN HIS REPORT THAT GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT   AGAIN, HE WOULD NOT HAVE ATTEMPTED THE TAKEOFF UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8560H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8560H-2002-01-08), registration cancelled 2002-01-08, S/N NAV-4-612, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN NAVION
- Registry model: [North American NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-navion) (registry code 6150130) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-612
- Airframe hours: 4210
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dean S. Emerson
- Registered owner: Dean S. Emerson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1991, 1 hours before
- Airport: TX12, Kidd, runway 35, 1,550 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 185 in this make and model, 1,040 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19911020047059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911020047059A), Oct 20, 1991: Tmpson NAVION*, Denison, TX, Substantial damage. Failed to clear a powerline on takeoff from short uphill sod strip. 1550 feet strip but needed more than 1800 feet

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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