# NTSB GAA18CA403: Rockwell 114, N314CT, Corsicana, TX, July 7, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2018, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Corsicana, TX - Coordinates: 32.028888, -96.396942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0289&lon=-96.3969&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 March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97716 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA403 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97716/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97716 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA403 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain the runway heading during a soft-field takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a rejected takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7630314), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rockwell International 114, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7630314), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while practicing a soft-field takeoff in light wind conditions, as the nosewheel lifted off the runway, he released the aft pressure on the yoke. The airplane "found" ground effect, and "all felt normal." The airplane then began to drift left, so he applied right rudder, but the rudder input had little effect. The landing gear was not yet retracted, so he landed the airplane on the grass off the end of the runway. During the ground roll, the left wing hit a tree and went through a barbed wire fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 5 knots. The pilot departed from runway 32. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during a practice soft field take off in light wind conditions, as the airplane's nose wheel lifted off the runway, he released the aft pressure on the yoke. The airplane "found" ground effect and "all felt normal". The airplane then began to drift left, he applied right rudder, but the rudder input had little effect. Since the landing gear was not yet retracted, he landed the airplane on the grass off the end of the runway. During the ground roll, the left wing hit a tree and went through a barbed wire fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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 at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 5 knots. The pilot departed on runway 32. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N314CT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N314CT-2019-10-25), registration cancelled 2019-10-25, S/N 14120, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell 114 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Rockwell International 114](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-114) (registry code 7630314) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14120 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 4044 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-T4B5D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 2017 - Departed: GKY, Arlington, TX - Destination: CRS, CORSICANA, TX - Airport: CRS, C David Campbell Field-Corsica, runway 32, 5,004 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,228 total, 707 in this make and model, 1,220 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KCRS ## 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 20180707024619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180707024619A), Jul 7, 2018: Commander COMNDR-114, Corsicana, TX, Substantial damage. On July 07, 2018 at approximately 1300 CDT, a rockwell Commander 114, N310CT, owned and piloted by [privacy data omitted] had an accident at c david campbell… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97716. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467288&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 299 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467289&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.