# NTSB GAA15CA207: Cessna 170B, N8028A, Rosamond, CA, July 16, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 16, 2015, 04:05 local (11:05 UTC)
- Place: Rosamond, CA
- Coordinates: 34.870555, -118.205558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8706&lon=-118.2056&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA Van Nuys FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91691/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91691
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA207

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, resulting in a collision with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll, the tail lifted, and the airplane yawed to the left. The airplane then yawed to the right, the tail came down, and "bounced on the runway several times." She reported that the airplane departed the runway to the right, impacted a chain link fence, and came to a stop on a dirt berm. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the empennage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll, the tail lifted, and the airplane yawed to the left. The airplane then yawed to the right, the tail came down, and "bounced on the runway several times." She reported that the airplane departed the runway to the right, impacted a chain link fence, and came to a stop on a dirt berm. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the empennage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8028A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8028A-2017-07-10), registration cancelled 2017-07-10, S/N 20880, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20880
- Year built: 1952
- Airframe hours: 9655.4
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wang Grace H
- Registered owner: Wang Grace H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2015
- Departed: L00, Rosamond, CA
- Destination: INW, WINSLOW, AZ
- Airport: L00, Rosamond Skypark, runway 26, 3,600 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 125 total, 43 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 240° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: KWJF, 8 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 20150716012679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150716012679A), Jul 16, 2015: Cessna 170B, Rosamond, CA, Substantial damage. On 07/16/2015 at Rosamond airport, Rosamond CA., 0400 PST N8028A a Cessna 170B lost directional control on take off. N8028A departed the runway crashing…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91691. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 2 – View of empennage (photo courtesy of the pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20empennage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20pilot)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of right wing (photo courtesy of the pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20right%20wing%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20pilot)%0D%0A-Master.PDF

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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