# NTSB LAX96LA118: Rockwell 112B, N1233J, Elk Grove, CA, February 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 16, 1996, 17:40 local (Feb 17, 1996, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Elk Grove, CA - Coordinates: 38.440975, -121.300247 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4410&lon=-121.3002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29379 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29379/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA118 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision and delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the short runway, high obstructions near the departure end of the runway, and wind shear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff with 20 degrees of flaps and rotated at what he felt was the normal speed. As the airplane climbed about 20 feet, the stall warning horn sounded, and the airplane ceased climbing. The pilot believed the airplane would not clear buildings at the departure end of the runway, so he elected to abort the takeoff. The pilot was unable to stop of the remaining runway. Subsequently, the airplane encountered a muddy area, and the nose gear collapsed. The pilot believed that the airplane encountered a wind shear that was induced by buildings near to the runway. Using the estimated temperature and pressure altitude, performance charts in the flight manual showed that a takeoff with 20 degrees of flaps would require 1,600 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. The landing distance chart from a 50-foot altitude (with full flaps) showed a minimum required distance of 1,200 feet. The runway was 2,700 feet in length. ## Factual narrative On February 16, 1996, at 1740 hours Pacific standard time, a Rockwell 112B, N1233J, sustained substantial damage during a rejected takeoff at Sunset Sky Ranch, Elk Grove, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight was originating at the time as a cross-country flight to San Diego, California. The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff with 20 degrees of flaps and rotated at what he felt was the normal speed. As the aircraft climbed about 20 feet, the stall warning horn went off and the aircraft ceased climbing. Buildings are at the departure end of the runway and the pilot believed he would strike them so he elected to abort the takeoff. Insufficient runway remained to stop the aircraft before hitting the buildings and the pilot intentionally turned the aircraft off the runway and into a muddy area, collapsing the nose gear. The pilot said he believes he encountered a wind shear induced by the buildings which are in close proximity to the runway. The FAA approved flight manual for the aircraft was examined. While the performance section of the manual contains a chart for a flaps 20 obstacle clearance takeoff, all references in the normal procedures and checklist portions of the manual are for flaps 10 takeoffs. Using the estimated temperature and pressure altitude at the time of the accident, the flaps 20 takeoff chart shows that the aircraft would require 1,600 feet to achieve a 50-foot altitude. The landing distance chart from a 50-foot altitude (at full flaps) shows a minimum required distance of 1,200 feet. The runway is 2,700 feet in length. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1233J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1233J-2021-01-09), registration cancelled 2021-01-09, S/N 503, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell 112B - Registry model: [Rockwell International 112B](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112b) (registry code 7630303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 503 - Airframe hours: 1814 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Terrence C. Turpen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1996, 5 hours before - Departed: Q40 - Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA - Airport: Q40, Sunset Skyranch, runway 29, 2,780 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 402 total, 95 in this make and model, 355 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °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 19960216002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960216002199A), Feb 16, 1996: Gulstm 112B, Elk Grove, CA, Substantial damage. Reported stopped climbing on takeoff. Aborted due buildings in path. Veered into mud to avoid overrun. Folded gear. 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.