# NTSB GAA17CA217: Funk B85C, N81173, Cedar City, UT, April 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 5, 2017, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Cedar City, UT - Coordinates: 37.701946, -113.098052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7019&lon=-113.0981&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94966/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94966 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA217 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. ## 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: [Funk B85C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5480208), [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: [Funk B85C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5480208), [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Funk B85C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5480208), [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: [Funk B85C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=5480208), [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: [Funk B85C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5480208), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Funk B85C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5480208), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane started to veer left. As he recovered, the airplane "violently" turned to the right and exited the runway. He reduced the engine power, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane started to veer left. As he recovered, the airplane "violently" turned to the right and exited the runway. He reduced the engine power and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81173](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81173), registered now, S/N 303 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FUNK B85C - Registry model: [Funk B85C](https://openairdocs.org/model/funk-b85c) (registry code 5480208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 303 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2754.1 - Engines: Continental O-200-A-38 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2016 - Departed: CDC, Cedar City, UT - Destination: CDC, Cedar City, UT - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: CDC, Cedar City Rgnl, runway 20, 8,650 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 281 total, 175 in this make and model, 281 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KCDC ## 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 20170405002469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170405002469A), Apr 5, 2017: Funk B85C, Cedar City, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot stated taxied to departure runway. Performed checks, stated all working and normal. Upon roll out, pilot stated aircraft started to drift left and he… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94966. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 704 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452272&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 490 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452273&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.