# NTSB WPR09CA285: Cessna 175A, N7979T, Polacca, AZ, June 12, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 12, 2009, 07:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Polacca, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.796943, -110.462776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7969&lon=-110.4628&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74030/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74030
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA285

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to adequately estimate the required distance to avoid obstructions while taking off from a road.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 175A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072504), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After making a precautionary landing on a two-lane highway and adding oil to the airplane’s engine, the pilot attempted to take off from the highway. The local police provided vehicle traffic control and blocked off the amount of highway the pilot estimated that he would need for the takeoff. According to the pilot’s report, he was reaching takeoff speed when he realized that he would not be airborne in time to clear a police vehicle. He altered his takeoff ground roll to the right in an attempt to avoid the vehicle. The right wing of the airplane impacted a highway sign, and the airplane continued off the highway to the right and down an embankment. It nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in structural damage to the wings and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its engine during the takeoff attempt.

## Factual narrative

After making a precautionary landing on a two-lane highway and adding oil to the airplane’s engine, the pilot attempted to takeoff from the highway. The local police provided vehicle traffic control and blocked off the amount of highway the pilot estimated he would need for the takeoff. According to the pilot’s report, he was reaching takeoff speed when he realized he would not be airborne in time to clear a police vehicle. He altered his takeoff ground roll to the right in an attempt to avoid the vehicle. The right wing of the airplane impacted a highway sign. The airplane continued off the highway to the right and down an embankment. It nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in structural damage to the wings and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its engine during the takeoff attempt.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7979T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7979T), registered now, S/N 56679, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175A
- Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56679
- Airframe hours: 2387
- Engines: CONT MOTOR GO-300 SERIES 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James H. Ivy III
- Registered owner: Knowles Carole M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2008, 51 hours before
- Departed: P23, Seligman, AZ
- Destination: KSKX, Taos, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 24, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 460 total, 48 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 20090612010649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090612010649A), Jun 12, 2009: Cessna 175A, Polacca, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 12, 2009 at approximately 06:05MST the pilot performed an uneventful emergency off airport landing on Arizona state route 264 near Polacca, AZ…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74030. 425 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 425 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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