# NTSB MIA97LA071: Socata TB-9, N121ER, Daytona Beach, FL, January 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 22, 1997, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.190975, -81.050636 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1910&lon=-81.0506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38209 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38209/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA071 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain direction control of the airplane during takeoff. The crosswind was a factor. ## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - sign ## Analysis On takeoff from runway 25L the airplane departed the left side of the runway, and collided with a runway marker sign. The pilot stated that he added full power, and as power was added the airplane started turning to the left. He said he slowly applied right rudder to correct for the 'left pulling force.' As he gained airspeed, the 'left force' was 'increasing.' The wind was coming from his 'left...south,' but he did not know the speed. He than applied right rudder, but he could not get the airplane to go straight and maintain runway centerline. The airplane countinued to the left, and the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. He stated, '...I was traveling at about 40-45 knots when [I] applied brake pressure. I felt the right side of the aircraft, what felt like lift off the ground. I feared I would flip the plane.' When he released the brakes, the airplane departed the hard surface of the runway onto the grass, and struck a runway sign before stopping. This was the student pilot's first solo flight, and he had no experience with crosswind takeoff procedure. Local weather at the time of the accident, reported that the wind was from 160 degrees, at 9 knots, with wind gusts to 17 knots ## Factual narrative On January 22, 1997, about 1036 eastern standard time, a Socata TB-9, N121ER, registered to Embry-Riddle University was substantially damaged during takeoff, near Daytona Beach, Florida. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed in the vicinity, and no flight plan had been filed. The local training flight was being conducted in accordance with Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he checked his PQ (pilot qualification) code established by the University, and the code was 221. Code 221 required a maximum crosswind of 6 to 10 knots. After doing a run up he received clearance for takeoff and taxied onto runway 25L. As the pilot added full power, the airplane started turning to the left. He slowly applied right rudder to correct for the "left pulling force." As he gained airspeed, the "left force" was "increasing." The wind was coming from his "left...south," but he did not know the speed. He than applied right rudder, but he could not get the airplane to go straight and maintain runway centerline. The airplane countinued to veer left, and the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. He stated, "...I was traveling at about 40-45 knots when [I] applied brake pressure. I felt the right side of the aircraft, what felt like lift off the ground. I feared I would flip the plane." When he released the brakes, the airplane departed the hard surface of the runway onto the grass, and struck a runway sign before stopping. According to the FAA inspector's report, this was the student pilot's first solo flight from Dayton Beach Airport, and he had "no experience with crosswind takeoff procedure." Local weather at the time of the accident, reported that the wind was from 160 degrees, at 9 knots, with wind gusts to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N121ER](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N121ER), registered now, S/N 1510 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Socata TB-9 - Registry model: [Socata TB 9 TAMPICO](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-9-tampico) (registry code 8680694) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1510 - Airframe hours: 4281 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Embry-Riddle University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1996, 61 hours before - Departed: DAB - Airport: KDAB, Daytona Beach Intl, runway 25L, 3,197 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 27 total, 27 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB ## 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 19970122000759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970122000759A), Jan 22, 1997: Socata TB9, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Student lost control trying to depart in strong crosswind. No prior crosswind dual. P factor and left crosswind. 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.