# NTSB IAD97LA026: Cessna 205, N1892Z, Columbia, PA, November 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 29, 1996, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Columbia, PA - Coordinates: 40.029968, -76.489044 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0300&lon=-76.4890&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 4 serious - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28162 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28162/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA026 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and collision with trees during the initial climb. A factor in the accident was a tailwind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During the takeoff, when the airplane became airborne, a witness heard a horn or buzzer and the airplane returned to the runway momentarily before becoming airborne again, and then impacted terrain. The witness reported the pilot said, 'Can't keep it in the air or something like that.' She also said that the engine was running and there were no noticeable changes in sound prior to impact. A FAA inspector stated that the airplane appeared to have fallen through the trees at a steep vertical angle. Winds reported at airports 16 miles northwest, and 11 miles east of the accident site were from 280 degrees at 5 knots, and from 290 degrees at 4 knots, respectively. ## Factual narrative On November 29, 1996, about 1215 eastern standard time, a Cessna 205, N1892Z, was destroyed when it collided with trees during the initial climb from McGinness Airport, Columbia, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot, and three passengers received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. McGinness Airport consisted of two runways, runway 11/29, and runway 8/26 which merge together to form a "V." The entire airport, was surrounded by trees at least 20 feet tall, except for an area on the left side of runway 11 where there were some buildings. The airplane departed runway 11, a 1,850 foot turf runway. The passengers were interviewed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector. One passenger stated that during the takeoff, when the airplane became airborne, she heard a horn or buzzer. The airplane then returned to the runway momentarily, before becoming airborne again, and then impacted terrain. She reported the pilot said, "Can't keep it in the air or something like that." She also said the engine was running, and there were no noticeable changes in sound prior to impact. Another passenger stated the takeoff and engine seemed normal. He reported the airplane became airborne, touched down once, took off again, and hit trees. He heard a horn or beeping sound prior to impact. He also said the pilot stated, "we're not going to make it," after the first touch. A third passenger, who had flown with the pilot several times said the airplane had been checked for ice prior to departing, and a small amount of snow was found and removed from the front edge of the wing. He reported that normal run-up checks were performed prior to takeoff, and the takeoff seemed normal. In an interview with an FAA Inspector, a witness who saw the takeoff stated, the airplane climbed a little, did two nose dives, and touched the ground two times. She said the airplane turned or dipped to the right before disappearing behind a hill. In a written statement, an FAA Inspector stated the aircraft appeared to have fallen through the trees at a steep vertical angle. The last third of the runway contained at least two ground scars, created by the nose wheel. Trees and shrubs slashed by the propeller were visible at the departure end of the runway. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not disclose any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe. The engine sustained substantial damage during the ground impact and ensuing post crash fire. As a result, no discrepancies were documented with the engine. At the time of the accident, winds reported at airports 16 miles northwest, and 11 miles east of the accident site were from 280 degrees at 5 knots, and from 290 degrees at 4 knots, respectively. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1892Z (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 205 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2050029 - Engines: Continental IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles Porta - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: 8N7 - Destination: PHILADELPHIA, PA - Airport: 8N7, Mcginness Field, runway 11, 1,850 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,050 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 4 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LNS, 70 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 19961129046679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961129046679A), Nov 29, 1996: Cessna 210, Columbia, PA, Destroyed. Pilot attempted takeoff from a grass strip surrounded by 30 to 40 foot trees. Facts indicate that a departure stall took place however investigation into… 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.