# NTSB NYC04CA131: Cessna 120, N1996V, New Castle, PA, May 25, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2004, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: New Castle, PA - Coordinates: 40.941112, -80.347503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9411&lon=-80.3475&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 59305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59305/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA131 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to use all available takeoff area and his delay in aborting the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The pilot attempted to takeoff from an approximately 1,500-foot portion of a field, on a 270 degree heading. The pilot said he initiated a short field takeoff, and had intended to make a trial run of about 500 feet to test the terrain; however, he felt that the acceleration was so good that he extended the takeoff roll and attempted to break ground. The airplane encountered some uneven terrain and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane nosed over and came to rest in a tree line. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector witnessed the takeoff. The inspector noted that if the pilot had departed to the south, approximately 5,000 feet of terrain was available for the takeoff roll. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he realized he was not going to clear the trees, so he aborted the takeoff and intentionally ground-looped the airplane. Winds reported at an airport located about 9 miles south of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 220 degrees at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2004, about 1610 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 120, N1996V, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from a field in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was in cruise flight when he experienced a loss of engine power and performed an uneventful forced landing to a field. Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector control valve was misaligned, and resulted in a fuel starvation condition. The fuel selector was realigned and the pilot attempted to depart from the field. The pilot further stated: "A short field takeoff was initiated on approximately 1,000 feet of level turf, with approximately 500 feet of down-sloping overrun to the field boundary tree line. I intended to make a trial run of about 500 feet to test the terrain, but the acceleration was so good that I extended the run and attempted to break ground. At this point, the airplane encountered some uneven terrain that prevented it from attaining flying speed...." The pilot elected to aborted the takeoff; however, the airplane nosed over while it decelerated. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector observed the takeoff. The inspector stated that the pilot advanced the throttle and made an approximate 90-degree turn to the right, onto a heading of about 270 degrees. The airplane was about three-quarters of the way across the field when it seemed to gain some lift; however, it quickly disappeared from view. The airplane came to rest at the edge of the field, in the tree line. At that time, the pilot reported that he realized he was not going to clear the trees, so he aborted the takeoff and intentionally ground-looped the airplane. The inspector noted that if the pilot had departed to the south, approximately 5,000 feet of terrain was available for the takeoff roll. Winds reported at an airport located about 9 miles south of the accident site, at 1547, were from 220 degrees at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: N1996V (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 120 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 14207 - Airframe hours: 2447 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John M. Greer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 2004, 3 hours before - Departed: NONE, New Castle, PA - Destination: UCP, New Castle, PA - Airport: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 20, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 511 total, 155 in this make and model, 409 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: BVI, 9 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20040525008199I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040525008199I), May 25, 2004: Cessna 120, New Castle, PA. (-23) On may 25, 2004, at approximately 1200, the allegheny FSDO notified [privacy data omitted] that an aircraft had made an emergency landing in a field… - [Accident 20040525025979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040525025979A), May 25, 2004: Cessna 120, New Castle, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 25, 2004, at approximately 1200 the allegheny FSDO notified inspector [privacy data omitted] that an aircraft had made an emergency landing in 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.