# NTSB LAX06CA171: Cessna 320, N5799X, Long Beach, CA, May 14, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2006, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.818611, -118.152221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8186&lon=-118.1522&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63730 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63730/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA171 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The wing tip impacted the runway surface during takeoff and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The pilot said that the taxi and run-up were uneventful. During takeoff, he noted that the wind was coming from the left (south) and he set the flight controls for a crosswind takeoff. He advanced the throttles to takeoff power and rotated the airplane. As the airplane left the runway surface, the left wing was slightly low and he noticed that the airplane was not climbing. As he turned the airplane into the wind, the right wing dropped and the wing tip fuel tank impacted the runway. He stabilized the airplane and pulled the power to idle. The airplane stopped just beyond the runway. The pilot believed that a gust of wind or small microburst may have kept the airplane from climbing and influenced the right wing tip to impact the ground. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2006, at 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 320, N5799X, struck a wing tip on the runway during takeoff from runway 25R at Daugherty Field, Long Beach, California. The pilot aborted the takeoff. The pilot was operating the privately owned airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot was destined for Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, California. In a written statement, the pilot said that the taxi and run-up were uneventful. During takeoff, he noted that the wind was coming from the left (south) and he set the flight controls for a crosswind takeoff. He advanced the throttles to takeoff power and rotated the airplane. As the airplane left the runway surface, the left wing was slightly low and he noticed that the airplane was not climbing. As he turned the airplane into the wind, the right wing dropped and the wing tip fuel tank impacted the runway. He stabilized the airplane and pulled the power to idle. The airplane stopped just beyond the runway. The pilot believed that a gust of wind or small microburst may have kept the airplane from climbing and influenced the right wing tip to impact the ground. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. At 1553, the unedited surface weather observation (METAR) at Long Beach reported winds from 180 degrees at 7 knots. Following the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator examined the airplane. The inspector noted that the rear spar at the right wing tip was damaged during its impact with the runway surface. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5799X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5799X-2015-01-27), registration cancelled 2015-01-27, S/N 320-0099, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 320 - Registry model: [Cessna 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320) (registry code 2074502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSI0-470-B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsi0-470-b) (registry code 17029, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 320-0699 - Engines: Teledyne Continental TSIO-470-B reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles Conard - Registered owner: Lee A. Scholes Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: VCV, Victorville, CA - Airport: LGB, Daugherty Field, runway 25R, 6,192 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review December 1, 2005; flight hours: 2,160 total, 138 in this make and model, 56 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: LGB ## 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 20060514007129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060514007129A), May 14, 2006: Cessna 320, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During departure at Long Beach airport, runway 25R, just after liftoff, the pilot reported he felt a wind gust which kept the aircraft from climbing and… ## Other investigations on N5799X (1) 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. - [NTSB OAK67F0250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67F0250), Mar 7, 1967: Cessna 320 (N5799X), Reno, NV, substantial damage 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.