# NTSB WPR12CA270: Fisher Harold R 320, N686KB, Adelanto, CA, June 17, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2012, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Adelanto, CA - Coordinates: 34.535831, -117.45639 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5358&lon=-117.4564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84040 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84040/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84040 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA270 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during takeoff initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to not use all of the runway distance available for takeoff and the high density altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fisher Harold R 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0561265), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Fisher Harold R 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0561265), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fisher Harold R 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=0561265), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Fisher Harold R 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=0561265), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Fisher Harold R 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0561265), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he only used the 1,300-foot asphalt portion of the 5,100-foot runway because the dirt portion of the runway was rough and contained loose rocks. During takeoff from the asphalt surface, which was the area closest to the departure end of the runway, the airplane rotated at the normal takeoff speed; however, it did not climb as the pilot expected. Subsequently, the airplane struck a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and rudder, and then came to rest upright beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot further reported that the airplane did not climb as he expected due to the high density altitude and the crosswind present at the time of the accident. Using weather conditions reported about 5 minutes before the accident and the airport elevation of 3,075 feet mean sea level (msl), the density altitude was about 6,389 feet. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he utilized the asphalt portion of the 5,100-foot long runway due to the dirt portion of the runway being rough and containing loose rocks. During takeoff from the 1,300-foot long asphalt surface, which was the area closest to the departure end of the runway, the airplane rotated at the normal takeoff speed, however, did not climb as he expected. Subsequently, the airplane struck a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and rudder and came to rest upright beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot further reported that he felt the airplane did not climb due to the high density altitude and crosswind present at the time of the accident. Using reported weather conditions about five minutes prior to the accident and airport elevation of 3,075 feet mean sea level (msl), the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude to be about 6,389 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N686KB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N686KB-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 507, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FISHER HAROLD R 320 - Registry model: [Fisher Harold R 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/fisher-harold-r-320) (registry code 0561265) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 507 - Airframe hours: 1234 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Timothy and Nancy McCarron - Registered owner: Timothy and Nancy McCarron - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 29, 2011, 65 hours before - Departed: 52CL, Adelanto, CA - Destination: Santa Barbara, CA - Airport: 52CL, Adelano Airport, runway 08, 5,100 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 19, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 4,180 total, 61 in this make and model, 4,099 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 17 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: VCV, 5 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 20120617014759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120617014759A), Jun 17, 2012: Fisher Harold R 320, Adelanto, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot took off on runway 8 and struck a 3 foot high fence at the end of the runway. The airplane came to rest in the field approximately 150 feet past the dirt… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84040. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374026&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Google Earth Image of the Airport (item 3, .PDF, 555 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Google%20Earth%20Image%20of%20the%20Airport-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.