# NTSB LAX94LA369: Cessna T210L, N732DT, Kettleman City, CA, September 3, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1994, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Kettleman City, CA
- Coordinates: 36.049167, -119.989425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0492&lon=-119.9894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA369
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA369

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of the wrong runway for takeoff and his failure to maintain runway alignment. The sun glare was a factor in this accident.

## 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
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT THE SUN BLINDED HIM AS HE ROTATED THE AIRCRAFT ON THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED FROM THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE AND COLLIDED WITH SOME TREES ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE CALM AND THAT HE COULD HAVED EFFECTED A WESTERLY TAKEOFF; HOWEVER, HE ELECTED TO TAKEOFF TOWARD THE SUN.

## Factual narrative

On September 3, 1994, at 0700 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210L, N732DT, collided with trees shortly after taking off from a private airstrip near Kettleman City, California.  The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules personal flight to Riverton, Wyoming.  The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  Neither the certificated private pilot nor his three passengers were injured.

The pilot stated in the aircraft accident report that the sun blinded him as he lifted the nose on takeoff.  The wing tip struck the tree branches alongside the airstrip, which turned the airplane into a row of trees.

The pilot did not report experiencing any preexisting mechanical failures or malfunctions.  The pilot indicated that a takeoff in the opposite direction could have prevented the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N732DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N732DT-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 21061440, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061440
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Willie Alves Rodrigues
- Registered owner: Willie Alves Rodrigues
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1994
- Destination: RIW, RIVERTON, WY
- Airport: Ranch Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19940903028339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940903028339A), Sep 3, 1994: Cessna T210L, Kettleman City, CA, Substantial damage. Struck trees on side of runway on takeoff. Blamed sun for straying off runway heading. Could have used other runway

## Other investigations on N732DT (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 LAX85FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA142), Feb 16, 1985: Cessna T210L (N732DT), Fullerton, CA, 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.

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