# NTSB LAX80FVD34: Cassutt Iiim, N44TP, Sonoma, CA, August 7, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 7, 1980
- Place: Sonoma, CA · SONOMA, CA
- Location: 38.2903° N, 122.4598° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sonoma, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2903&lon=-122.4598&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 September 29, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FVD34
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVD34

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2143   80/8/7    SONOMA,CA           CASSUTT IIIM        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 39, 1500
        TIME - 1130                    N44TP               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 1 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SONOMA VALLEY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SONOMA,CA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44TP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44TP-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N PEP 1, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CASSUTT IIIM
- Registry model: [Plakk-Tonu CASSUTT III M](https://openairdocs.org/model/plakk-tonu-cassutt-iii-m) (registry code 1970347) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Sonoma Valley

## 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 19800807034319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800807034319A), Aug 7, 1980: Amtrsx CASSUTT3M, Sonoma, CA, Substantial damage. Porpoised on takeoff. Drifted off side of runway. Stalled, nosed over on impact.

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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