# NTSB LAX97LA281: Aerospatiale TB-20, N577JL, Borrego, CA, August 10, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1997, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Borrego, CA
- Coordinates: 33.170162, -116.270606 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1702&lon=-116.2706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA281

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain runway alignment during the takeoff roll.

## 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
  - weather condition - variable wind
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot reported that on the takeoff roll, a forceful gust of wind from the northwest hit the aircraft and produced a momentary lifting of the aircraft from the runway and yawed it to the left. The pilot stated that he cut the power and the aircraft settled onto a soft shoulder where the nose wheel dug in and broke off.  The propeller struck sand and the engine stopped.  The pilot reported winds were variable from 230 to 250 degrees at 10 to 15 knots.

## Factual narrative

On August 10, 1997, at 1440 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aerospatiale TB-20, N577JL, veered off runway 25 and collapsed the nose landing gear during the takeoff ground roll at the Borrego Valley, California, airport.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot and three passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was scheduled to terminate at the Van Nuys, California, airport.

The pilot reported that on the takeoff roll, a forceful gust of wind from the northwest hit the aircraft and produced a momentary lifting of the aircraft from the runway and yawed it to the left. The pilot stated that he cut the power and the aircraft settled onto a soft shoulder where the nose wheel dug in and broke off.  The propeller struck sand and the engine stopped.  The pilot reported winds were variable from 230 to 250 degrees at 10 to 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N577JL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N577JL), registered now, S/N 577 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerospatiale TB-20
- Registry model: [Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-20-trinidad) (registry code 8680695) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 577
- Airframe hours: 1176
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-C4D5D 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Van Nuys Flight Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: Richard A. Mayer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1997, 1,084 hours before
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: L08, Borrego Valley, runway 25, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 194 total, 100 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19970810021539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970810021539A), Aug 10, 1997: Socata TB20TRINIDAD, Borrego Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported strong right crosswind hit aircraft on takeoff. Exited runway into a hole. Borke off nose 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.

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