# NTSB GAA16CA228: Beech C23, N6566R, Yucca Valley, CA, May 7, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2016, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Yucca Valley, CA - Coordinates: 34.129722, -116.406944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1297&lon=-116.4069&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 August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93143/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93143 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA228 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain airspeed and a positive rate of climb during takeoff in gusty wind conditions, resulting in a loss of directional control, an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: [Beech C23, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Beech C23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Beech C23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech C23, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, during the takeoff on runway 24, the wind was variable at 10 knots. He reported that he departed runway 24 and as the airplane began to climb, "a sudden crosswind gust" made the airplane drift to the right of the runway centerline. He reported that the flight controls became unresponsive, the airplane descended and the left wing struck the ground, then the right wing struck the ground. The airplane was resting on a sand berm, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A post-accident inspection by an NTSB Air Safety Investigator revealed that there were no flight control anomalies. The nearest weather reporting station, 19 miles south of the accident site, at the time of the accident reported that the wind was from 330 degrees true at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots. Furthermore the wind direction was variable from 310 degrees true to 020 degrees true. A postaccident examination of the flight controls showed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot, during the takeoff on runway 24, the wind was variable at 10 knots. He reported that he departed runway 24 and as the airplane began to climb, "a sudden crosswind gust" made the airplane drift to the right of the runway centerline. He reported that the flight controls became unresponsive, the airplane descended and the left wing struck the ground, then the right wing struck the ground. The airplane was resting on a sand berm, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A post-accident inspection by an NTSB Air Safety Investigator revealed that there were no flight control anomalies. The nearest weather reporting station, 19 miles south of the accident site, at the time of the accident reported that the wind was from 330 degrees true at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots. Furthermore the wind direction was variable from 310 degrees true to 020 degrees true. A post-accident examination of the flight controls showed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6566R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6566R-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N M-1593, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C23 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-1593 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 3527 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 2016 - Departed: L22, Yucca Valley, CA - Destination: L22, Yucca Valley, CA - Airport: L22, Yucca Valley, runway 24, 4,363 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,000 total, 20.7 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KPSP, 19 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). - [Incident 20160507025079I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160507025079I), May 7, 2016: Beech C23, Yucca Valley, CA, Minor damage. Student pilot on takeoff from rwy 24 at L22 with wind from nw at 10-15 KTS just began rotation, when a dust devil turned the heading of the airplane. During… ## Other investigations on N6566R (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC75DCQ35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75DCQ35), Feb 20, 1975: Beech C23 (N6566R), Wichita, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93143. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 545 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.