# NTSB LAX89LA156: Cessna T210, N5523C, Scottsdale, AZ, April 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1989, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.609348, -111.889396 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6093&lon=-111.8894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA156

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE GROUND RUN AND ABRUPT ROTATION TO GET AIRBORNE.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - elevator trim - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO AN FAA WITNESS, THE PILOT DID NOT EXECUTE AN ENGINE RUNUP OR A PRE-TAKEOFF CHECK. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE OSCILLATED TO THE RT AND LEFT OF CENTERLINE. THESE OSCILLATIONS INCREASED IN AMPLITUDE TO A POINT 1,500 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED TO THE RIGHT, ONTO ITS RIGHT MAIN WHEEL AND NOSE WHEEL. AT THIS POINT, IT ABRUPTLY ROTATED TO A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, THE TAIL STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE TO 10 FTAGL. THE AIRPLANE BANKED TO THE RIGHT, STRUCK THE RIGHT WINGTIP ON THE RUNWAY, AND CARTWHEELED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH AND FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE WERE WITHIN LIMITS. THE ELEVATOR TRIM CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE FULL NOSE UP POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5523C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5523C-2021-10-28), registration cancelled 2021-10-28, S/N 21063779, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063779
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George M. Aeed
- Registered owner: Aeed, George M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SDL
- Destination: MANZANILLO
- Airport: 5DL, Municipal, runway 3, 8,251 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,350 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDL

## 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 19890411007649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890411007649A), Apr 11, 1989: Cessna T210N, Scottsdale, AZ, Destroyed. Erratic takeoff run .jerked into air,hit tail and wing on runway. Cartwheeled off runway. Elevator trim full nose up

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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