# NTSB GAA17CA148: Beech A23, N425RS, Beckwourth, CA, February 14, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 14, 2017, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Beckwourth, CA - Coordinates: 39.818611, -120.352775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8186&lon=-120.3528&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94747 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94747/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94747 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA148 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s inadvertent use of the control yoke to correct for a drift and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## 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: [Beech A23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151204), [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/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: [Beech A23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech A23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151204), [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: [Beech A23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that he had not flown for 45 days before the accident due to inclement weather. He added that, during the touch-and-go takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left. He further added that he attempted to correct for the drift by using the control yoke instead of the rudder. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a snow bank on the south side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that, he had not flown for 45 days prior to the accident, due to inclement weather. He added that, during the touch-and-go takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left. He further added that, he attempted to correct for the drift by using the control yoke instead of the rudder. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a snow bank on the south side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N425RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N425RS-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N M-718 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A23 - Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-718 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 2986.64 - Engines: Continental IO-346A 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: 4 Day Fliers LLC. - Registered owner: 4 Day Fliers LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2016 - Departed: O02, Beckwourth, CA - Destination: O02, Beckwourth, CA - Airport: O02, Nervino, runway 26, 4,651 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 25 total, 23 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F - Observed at: RAA, 24 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 20170214006109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170214006109A), Feb 14, 2017: Beech A23, Beckworth, CA, Substantial damage. Student pilot was conducting solo flight training. Student pilot set up to conduct a touch and go at beckwourth, CA (O02). Airplane landed on east end of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 27, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94747. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 406 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453752&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. --- 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.