# NTSB LAX06CA074: Avid Mark IV, N99BK, California City, CA, December 30, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 30, 2005, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: California City, CA
- Coordinates: 35.151111, -118.01667
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1511&lon=-118.0167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63025
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63025/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA074

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane on takeoff.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The airplane nosed over after veering off the runway on takeoff.  The pilot had a crosswind of 18 knots, gusting to 20 knots, from 30 degrees to his right.  On the takeoff roll, the right wing and tail came up, pushing the airplane off the left side of the runway.  The airplane nosed over when it entered the dirt.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Factual narrative

On December 30, 2005, about 1420 Pacific standard time, an Avid Flyer Mark IV, N99BK, veered off the runway and nosed over at California City, California.  The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal flight departed Rosamond, California, about 1300, with a planned stop in California City and a return to Rosamond.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated that he was beginning his takeoff roll.  He noticed that the winds had increased to 18 knots from 30 degrees right of runway heading.  About 40 feet into his takeoff roll, the right wing and tail of the airplane came off the ground, despite the pilot holding full opposite aileron.  The airplane veered off the left side of the runway into the dirt and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99BK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99BK), registered now, S/N 1123 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Avid Aircraft Mark IV
- Registry model: [Ismael George B AVID FLYER MARK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/ismael-george-b-avid-flyer-mark-iv) (registry code 05618WY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1123
- Airframe hours: 48
- Engines: Bombardier Rotax 582 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George B Ismael
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 1, 2005, 48 hours before
- Departed: L71, California City, CA
- Destination: L00, Rosamond, CA
- Airport: L71, California City Muni, runway 24, 6,027 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review January 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,263 total, 48 in this make and model, 1,152 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 18 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Observed at: L71

## 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 20051230031699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051230031699A), Dec 30, 2005: Amtr AVIDFLYMKIV, California City, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 30, 2005, at approximately 1420 hours PST, the pilot [privacy data omitted] acting as pilot in command and the sole occupant of N99BK, an…

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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