# NTSB GAA16CA125: Socata Tampico TB 9, N505PC, Fort Smith, AR, February 13, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 12, 2016, 19:30 local (Feb 13, 2016, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Smith, AR - Coordinates: 35.334445, -94.373886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3344&lon=-94.3739&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92713 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92713/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92713 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in runway excursion, impact with terrain and an airport sign, and a postimpact fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TAMPICO TB 9C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8680693), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TAMPICO TB 9C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680693), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Socata TAMPICO TB 9C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=8680693), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Socata TAMPICO TB 9C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8680693), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Socata TAMPICO TB 9C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8680693), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Socata TAMPICO TB 9C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8680693), [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: [Socata TAMPICO TB 9C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8680693), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions, the wind changed from a left crosswind to a left quartering tail wind. The tail of the airplane was pushed to the right; the nose turned to the left. He further reported that the left wing lifted, which caused the airplane to wheelbarrow off the runway to the left/right and impact an airport sign. Following the impact, the right fuel tank ruptured, the wing caught fire, and the airplane came to a stop. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions, the wind changed from a left crosswind to a left quartering tail wind. The tail of the airplane was pushed to the right; the nose turned to the left. He further reported that the left wing lifted, which caused the airplane to wheelbarrow off the runway to the left/right and impact an airport sign. Following the impact, the right fuel tank ruptured, the wing caught fire, and the airplane came to a stop. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N505PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N505PC-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 1464 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SOCATA TAMPICO TB 9 (C) - Registry model: [Socata TAMPICO TB 9C](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tampico-tb-9c) (registry code 8680693) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1464 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 5397 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenneth Williamson - Registered owner: Flight Tec LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2015 - Departed: FSM, Fort Smith, AR - Destination: FSM, Fort Smith, AR - Airport: FSM, Fort Smith Rgnl, runway 07, 8,017 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 18, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 115 total, 46 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 360° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KFSM, 1 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 20160212002919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160212002919A), Feb 12, 2016: Socata TAMPICO TB 9C, Fort Smith, AR, Substantial damage. On February 12, 2016, at 1930 CST, a Socata TB9, N505PC, registered to flight tec, LLC, departed Fort Smith Regional Airport, Arkansas runway 7 and caught… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92713. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 680 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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. --- 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.