# NTSB LAX01LA067: Piper PA-28-140, N61CS, Rosamond, CA, December 30, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 30, 2000, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Rosamond, CA - Coordinates: 34.870304, -118.33953 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8703&lon=-118.3395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50853 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50853/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper airplane handling technique and inadequate airspeed during performance of an intentional soft field takeoff. ## 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 - soft field takeoff/procedure - attempted, pilot in command - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - airspeed(vs) - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The student pilot had previously practiced a soft field takeoff with his instructor, and he was authorized to attempt the maneuver by himself. The student extended the wing flaps to the customary second notch position and commenced the takeoff roll. The airplane accelerated, its nose pitched upward, and the airplane lifted off the ground in a nose high attitude. As the airplane departed ground effect, its high nose up pitch attitude did not decrease. The airplane yawed left, stalled, and descended until impacting the ground, a tree, and a building. ## Factual narrative On December 30, 2000, about 1430 hours Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N61CS, operated by A.V. Aviation, Rosamond, California, collided with trees and a building during an attempted takeoff from runway 25 at the Rosamond Skypark, Rosamond. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot's solo instructional flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The student pilot's certified flight instructor (CFI) reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the accident occurred during his student's third supervised solo flight, and he witnessed the accident. The CFI stated that after providing about 0.9 hours of dual instruction, he exited the airplane and advised his student to stay in the traffic pattern. The student had previously performed a soft field takeoff, and he was permitted to practice the maneuver by himself. The CFI stated that the student lowered the wing flaps to the customary second notch position and commenced the takeoff roll from the beginning of the runway. The airplane's acceleration appeared normal. The airplane's nose pitched upward, and the airplane lifted off the ground in a nose high attitude. It appeared as though the student had over rotated. The airplane yawed left, and the pitch attitude did not decrease. The airplane climbed a few yards in the nose high attitude until departing ground effect, and then it descended until impacting the ground. The airplane came to rest upon colliding with a tree and a building. The student pilot reported to the Safety Board investigator that he remembered becoming airborne and the airplane yawing left. He stated that he might not have applied sufficient right rudder to overcome the left turning tendency. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61CS-2003-10-30), registration cancelled 2003-10-30, S/N 28-7325163, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7325160 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: A.V. Aviation - Registered owner: Alfred G. Fattouch - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: L00 - Airport: L00, Rosamond Skypark, runway 25, 3,600 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 11 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 0 ft - Temperature: 142 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: WJF, 8 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 20001230032899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001230032899A), Dec 30, 2000: Piper PA28140, Rosamond, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 20, 2000, about 1430 hours PST, a Piper PA-28-140, N61CS, operated by a.v. aviation, Rosamond, California, collided with trees and a building… 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.