# NTSB GAA17CA370: Aero-Ace CE 1, N473CQ, Cottonwood, AZ, June 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2017, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Cottonwood, AZ - Coordinates: 34.731109, -112.035552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7311&lon=-112.0356&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 - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA370 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95444/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95444 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA370 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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: [Aero-Ace CE 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=00301BR), [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: [Aero-Ace CE 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=00301BR), [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: [Aero-Ace CE 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=00301BR), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aero-Ace CE 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=00301BR), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aero-Ace CE 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=00301BR), [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: [Aero-Ace CE 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=00301BR), [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: [Aero-Ace CE 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=00301BR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aero-Ace CE 1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=00301BR), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, immediately after takeoff, the airplane drifted hard to the right. He applied left aileron and left rudder to no avail. Subsequently, the right wing and landing gear impacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 14 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 32. As a recommendation, the pilot reported that a higher takeoff speed would have helped him better control the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, immediately after takeoff, the airplane drifted hard to the right. He applied left aileron and left rudder with no avail. Subsequently, the right wing and landing gear impacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 14 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 32. As a recommendation, the pilot reported that a higher takeoff speed would have helped him better control the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N473CQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N473CQ-2017-11-03), registration cancelled 2017-11-03, S/N PARD-1, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERO-ACE CE 1 - Registry model: [Aero-Ace CE 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-ace-ce-1) (registry code 00301BR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: PARD-1 - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 782 - Engines: Continental A65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 8, 2017 - Departed: P52, Cottonwood, AZ - Destination: P52, Cottonwood, AZ - Airport: P52, Cottonwood, runway 32, 4,252 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 850 total, 750 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KSEZ, 14 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 20170626008669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170626008669A), Jun 26, 2017: Aero-Ace CE 1, Cottonwood, AZ, Substantial damage. On 7/26/2017, around 15:40 MST N473CQ, experimental amateur built, Aero ace, on departure veered right off the side of the runway into the dirt at the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 29, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95444. 601 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 296 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455687&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 305 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455688&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.