# NTSB WPR13CA164: Piper PA-30, N7497Y, Fullerton, CA, March 23, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 23, 2013, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Fullerton, CA - Coordinates: 33.86972, -117.974441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8697&lon=-117.9744&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: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86504 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86504/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86504 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA164 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [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-30, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wind sock](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/cases.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/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-30, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-30, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, the pilot receiving instruction was seated in the left seat and manipulating the flight controls during the takeoff. As the airplane became airborne, it yawed left. The instructor intervened and aborted the takeoff. However, before the airplane landed again, the left wing impacted the airport windsock on the north side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the wing’s leading edge. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the flight instructor, the pilot receiving instruction was seated in the left seat and manipulating the flight controls during takeoff. As the airplane rotated and became airborne, it yawed left. The instructor intervened and aborted the takeoff. Before the airplane landed, the left wing impacted the airport windsock located on the north side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the left wing. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7497Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7497Y-2018-02-23), registration cancelled 2018-02-23, S/N 30-559, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30 - Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30-559 - Airframe hours: 5500 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hess, Drew C, doing business as Fun Outside - Registered owner: Hess, Drew C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2012, 70 hours before - Departed: FUL, Fullerton, CA - Destination: FUL, Fullerton, CA - Airport: FUL, Fullerton Municipal Airport, runway 06, 3,121 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 33; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 14, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 8,500 total, 125 in this make and model, 8,132 as pilot in command, 258 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: FUL ## 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 20130323004979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130323004979A), Mar 23, 2013: Piper PA-30, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. During takeoff/rotation phase of flight; PIC lost directional control of aircraft. Aircraft struck a taxiway light and right wing impacted with a 12 foot… ## Other investigations on N7497Y (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA78FKT15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKT15), Nov 28, 1977: Piper PA30 (N7497Y), Opa Locka, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 6, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86504. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 593 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391511&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Damage to Left Wing (item 2, .PDF, 547 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing-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.