- Date
- April 20, 2020, 17:45 local (Apr 21, 2020, 00:45 UTC)
- Place
- Oakdale, CA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- UNREGFLIGHTstar 2
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 21, 2020
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- FAA-FSDO
- Case key
- 101182
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 noncertificated pilot’s decision to take off through a large helicopter’s rotor wash, which resulted in his inability to gain altitude during takeoff.
Findings · 4
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 noncertificated pilot reported that the airplane departed the runway and that, during the initial climb, it could not gain altitude. He attempted to return to the runway, but the airplane landed hard in an orchard. The pilot later reported that, before takeoff, a large helicopter was hovering close to the runway and that he believed the his airplane "entered…[the helicopter's] rotor wash and lost lift." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The noncertificated pilot in an unregistered light sport airplane, reported that he departed the runway during the initial takeoff climb and could not gain altitude. He attempted to return to the runway and landed hard in an orchard. The pilot later reported that prior to takeoff, a large helicopter was hovering close to the runway. "I believe I entered his rotor wash and lost lift." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The uncertificated pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.
Aircraft
- Registration
- UNREG
- Reported as
- FLIGHTstar 2 (SL)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 194
- Built
- 1997
- Engine
- HKS 33777, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Daniel Brittson
- Registered owner
- Daniel Brittson
- Airworthiness certificate
- Unknown
- Departed
- O27 · Oakdale, CA
- Airport
- O27 · Oakdale, runway 28, 3,013 × 75 ft, asphalt
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 0
- Injuries
- None
- Seat
- Left
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 310° at 13 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.05 inHg
- Observed at
- KMOD, 11 nm away
Docket · 3
The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2020, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 791 KB in all.