# NTSB LAX97LA231: Cessna P206B, N4733F, Desert Center, CA, July 4, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1997, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Desert Center, CA
- Coordinates: 33.759716, -115.469322 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7597&lon=-115.4693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA231

## Probable cause

The pilot's unexpected encounter with dust devils during the takeoff ground roll.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

Prior to liftoff the aircraft was pushed off the runway by a gust of wind.  After departing the runway, the aircraft struck a bush and was consumed by the ensuing fire.  While departing from the accident site, the pilot noticed three dust devils moving away from the runway and two dust devils traveling toward the runway.  This weather phenomena is common during the summer months, and is not associated with the any specific wind condition.

## Factual narrative

On July 4, 1997, at 1400 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna P206B, N4733F, veered off runway 5 on the takeoff roll, and collided with bushes at the Desert Center, California, airport.  The aircraft was destroyed by the ensuing fire, and the owner/pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight that originated from the Big Bear Lake, California, airport at 0930.

The pilot reported that just prior to liftoff a gust of wind "slammed me to the right about 20 degrees to 30 degrees off the center line of the runway."  He reported that he evacuated the aircraft due to the smell of fire.  The pilot stated that "as I was walking to find water and a phone, I noticed 3 twisters (dirt devils) going away from the runway and 2 twisters coming toward the runway."

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector form the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office who is familiar with this airport, this weather phenomena is common during the summer months, and is not associated with any specific wind condition.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4733F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4733F-1999-02-19), registration cancelled 1999-02-19, S/N P206-0333 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna P206B
- Registry model: [Cessna P206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206b) (registry code 2073309) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0333
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott C. Vos
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1997
- Departed: L35, BIG BEAR LAKE, CA
- Destination: L64
- Airport: L64, Desert Center, runway 5, 4,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 450 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 109 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLH, 31 nm away

## 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 19970704016869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970704016869A), Jul 4, 1997: Cessna P206B, Desert Center, CA, Destroyed. Pilot reported wind gust slammed the 206 to heading off runway into bushes. 206 burned. Dust devils in area.

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.