# NTSB LAX99LA217: Cessna 172, N6448B, Needles, CA, June 15, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 1999, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Needles, CA - Coordinates: 34.77927, -114.590789 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7793&lon=-114.5908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46559/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA217 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain alignment with the road used for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a construction sign during the initial climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot landed the aircraft on a county road and taxied near an automotive service station. The pilot told the service station attendant that he was unsure if he had sufficient fuel aboard to reach his destination. He purchased 5 gallons of automotive gasoline in a container, carried it to the aircraft, and poured it in the right wing tank. With his one passenger aboard, the pilot then started the aircraft, taxied back up the road, turned around, and initiated takeoff. The road has a slight curve in the area and the witnesses were concerned that the aircraft did not appear properly aligned with the road. Immediately after the aircraft became airborne the left wing tip struck the post of a construction sign, the aircraft veered left, struck the top of a chain link fence, and nosed over inverted. The pilot told a Sheriff's deputy that he hit the pole because he lost directional control due to a gust of wind. The deputy estimated that winds were from the southwest about 5 knots with frequent, abrupt gusts to about 20 knots, and the temperature was in excess of 110 degrees (Fahrenheit). ## Factual narrative On June 15, 1999, at 1230 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6448B, was substantially damaged when the left wing tip struck a sign post, the aircraft veered into a chain link fence, and then nosed over inverted during takeoff from a county road, 22 miles west of Needles, California. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight. The flight was destined for Bullhead City, Arizona. According to a San Bernadino County Sheriff's Deputy, witnesses reported that the pilot landed the aircraft on Goffs (county) Road, immediately north of the Interstate 40 interchange, and taxied near an automotive service station. Goffs Road runs north-south; however, in the area where the pilot landed, the road turns and parallels Interstate 40 in an east-west direction for about 1/2 mile. The pilot told the service station attendant that he was en route to Bullhead City and was unsure if he had sufficient fuel aboard. He purchased 5 gallons of automotive gasoline in a container, carried it to the aircraft, and poured it in the right wing tank. With his one passenger aboard, the pilot then started the aircraft, taxied back up the road, turned around, and initiated takeoff in a westerly direction. The road has a slight curve in this area and the witnesses were concerned that the aircraft did not appear properly aligned with the road. Immediately after the aircraft became airborne the left wing tip struck the post of a construction sign, the aircraft veered left, struck the top of the chain link fence, and then nosed over inverted. According to the deputy, the pilot said that he hit the pole because he lost directional control due to a gust of wind. The deputy estimated that winds were from the southwest about 5 knots with frequent, abrupt gusts to about 20 knots, and the temperature was in excess of 110 degrees (Fahrenheit). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6448B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6448B-2013-09-09), registration cancelled 2013-09-09, S/N 29648, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 29648 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Earl R. Sanders - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1998 - Destination: IFP, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 108 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EED, 22 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 19990615007089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990615007089A), Jun 15, 1999: Cessna 172, Needles, CA, Substantial damage. Acft crashed under unknown circumstances and came to rest inverted after striking a fence. (From .19) on June 15, 1999, at 1230 hours pacific daylight time, a… 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.