- Date
- May 18, 2011, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place
- Kahlotus, WA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N4996XRockwell International S-2R
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of control on ground
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 3, 2011
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Case key
- 79159
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he attempted to take off with a strong crosswind. During the takeoff sequence, the airplane veered off the airstrip onto soft dirt and subsequently nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal flight.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he attempted to takeoff with a strong crosswind. During the takeoff sequence, the airplane veered off the airstrip onto soft dirt and subsequently nosed over. Weather reporting stations within 30 nautical miles (nm) of the airstrip reported wind from 324 degrees, varying from 6 to 7 knots and gusting up to 16 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal flight.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4996X
- Reported as
- Rockwell International S-2R
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 2138R
- Airframe hours
- 23,000
- Engine
- P&W R1340 SERIES, 600 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Air-Trac Inc.
- Registered owner
- Air-Trac Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 1, 2011 · 200 hours before
- Departed
- 4WA6 · Kahlotus, WA
- Destination
- 4WA6 · Kahlotus, WA
- Airport
- 4WA6 · Hille-Kimp Airstrip, runway 02, 2,600 × 26 ft, gravel
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 68
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- January 15, 2010
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 26,500 total · 22,000 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 300° at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 72 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.81 inHg
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 27, 2011, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 592 KB in all.
Other investigations on N4996X · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.