# NTSB WPR10CA067: Piper PA-25-260, N9600P, Llano, CA, November 27, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 27, 2009, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Llano, CA - Coordinates: 34.484722, -117.826385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4847&lon=-117.8264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75103 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75103/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75103 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind conditions and failure to maintain lateral and directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102508), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taking off in a gusting 15-knot left crosswind with a glider in tow. He said he was holding the aileron control to the left during the takeoff roll, and, as the airplane lifted off, it rolled immediately to the right. The pilot then applied full left aileron, but was unable to maintain control of the airplane and he released the tow rope. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain causing substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The closest official weather reporting station, located 15 miles northwest of the accident site, indicated the winds were at 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The private airport was not equipped with official weather reporting facilities. Post-accident examination of the aircraft by FAA inspectors revealed no anomalies with the airplane's flight control systems. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was taking off in a gusting 15-knot left crosswind with a glider in tow. He said he was holding the aileron control to the left during the takeoff roll, and, as the airplane lifted off, it rolled immediately to the right. The pilot then applied full left aileron, but was unable to maintain control of the airplane and he released the tow rope. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain causing substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The closest official weather reporting station, located 15 miles northwest of the accident site, indicated the winds were at 20 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The private airport was not equipped with official weather reporting facilities. Post-accident examination of the aircraft by FAA inspectors revealed no anomalies with the airplane's flight control systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9600P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9600P-2013-03-20), registration cancelled 2013-03-20, S/N 25-7556113, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-7556113 - Airframe hours: 5303 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Glider tow, Part 91 - Operator: Southern California Soaring Academy - Registered owner: Gregg Ronald S - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2009, 106 hours before - Departed: 46CN, Llano, CA - Destination: 46CN, Llano, CA - Airport: 46CN, Crystal Airport, runway 25, 4,500 × 250 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 9, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 1,295 total, 71 in this make and model, 1,105 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: PMD, 15 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 20091127023199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091127023199A), Nov 27, 2009: Piper PA25260, Llano, CA, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted] (Pilot of N9600P) briefed Mr. Dale masters (glider instructor) prior to the tow about the wind conditions. [privacy data omitted] Stated… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75103. 717 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation: Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323355&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%3A%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation: FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%3A%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.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. --- 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.