# NTSB LAX01LA020: Ryan ST3KR, N50870, Georgetown, CA, October 21, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 2000, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, CA
- Coordinates: 38.729621, -120.800773 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7296&lon=-120.8008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50504
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50504/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA020

## Probable cause

The airplane's encounter with a strong updraft at the end of the runway that induced an increase in the wing's angle of attack to the critical point, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and spin.

## 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 - updraft
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot said that on initial climb after takeoff the airplane remained in ground effect until reaching the end of the runway.  Thereafter, the airplane stalled and spun after encountering a strong updraft.  It impacted a steep, wooded hillside area.  The pilot said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On October 21, 2000, about 1545 hours Pacific daylight time, a Ryan ST3KR, N50870, was destroyed when it collided with trees 1 minute after departing from the airport at Georgetown, California.  The private pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The pilot sustained serious injuries and his passenger sustained fatal injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, destined for Jackson, California, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot stated that on initial climb from runway 34, he remained in ground effect until the end of the runway.  The airplane encountered a strong updraft at the end of the runway, stalled, and spun into the trees.  The airplane impacted the ground in a steep, wooded area, and was destroyed.  The pilot also stated that there were no mechanical irregularities.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50870](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50870-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 1042, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ryan ST3KR
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1042
- Engines: Kinner R-55 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey M. Skeen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Q61
- Destination: O70, JACKSON, CA
- Airport: Q61, Georgetown, runway 34, 3,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,507 total, 66 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUN, 12 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 20001021040419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001021040419A), Oct 21, 2000: Ryan ST3KR, Georgetown, CA, No damage. (-23) Pilot departed runway 34. The plane stayed low over the runway then initiated a steep pull up. Aircraft went into a right bank, the nose rose and the…

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.

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