# NTSB GAA16CA306: S.O.C.A.T.A. Rallye 150, N319RA, York, SC, June 11, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 11, 2016, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: York, SC
- Coordinates: 35.028057, -81.252777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0281&lon=-81.2528&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93372/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93372
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA306

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in an impact with a peach tree(s).

## 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: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8400125), [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: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8400125), [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; cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=8400125), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=8400125), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8400125), [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: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8400125), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8400125), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8400125), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff in crosswind conditions, after rotation and about 6 feet above the ground, a gust of wind from the right pushed the airplane to the left of the runway toward a group of peach trees. The pilot further reported that he applied additional correction for the crosswind drift but was unable to give full deflection due to the proximity of the airplane above the ground, the left wing impacted the tree(s), and subsequently the airplane spun to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 10 miles to the south east, revealed that, about 36 minutes before the accident the wind was 270 degrees true at 8 knots. A further review revealed that, about 24 minutes after the accident the wind was 290 degrees true at 10 knots. The airplane landed on runway 18.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff in crosswind conditions, after rotation and about 6 feet above the ground, a gust of wind from the right pushed the airplane to the left of the runway toward a group of peach trees. The pilot further reported that he applied additional correction for the crosswind drift but was unable to give full deflection due to the proximity of the airplane above the ground, the left wing impacted the tree(s), and subsequently the airplane spun to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 10 miles to the south east, revealed that, about 36 minutes before the accident the wind was 270 degrees true at 8 knots. A further review revealed that, about 24 minutes after the accident the wind was 290 degrees true at 10 knots. The airplane landed on runway 18.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N319RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N319RA-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 3068, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 (ST)
- Registry model: [S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-o-c-a-t-a-rallye-150-st) (registry code 8400125) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3068
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 1293.5
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2015
- Departed: 01SC, York, SC
- Destination: NC21, WEDDINGTON, NC
- Airport: 01SC, York, runway 18, 2,580 × 118 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 488 total, 143 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observed at: KUZA, 10 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 20160611006949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160611006949A), Jun 11, 2016: S.O.C.A.T.A. RALLYE 150 ST, York, SC, Substantial damage. On June 6, 2016, about 1121 eastern daylight time, N319RA, was substantially damaged following loss of control at York Airport, south carolina. The pilot was…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93372. 2.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443878&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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