# NTSB WPR20CA127: FLIGHTstar 2, Oakdale, CA, April 21, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 20, 2020, 17:45 local (Apr 21, 2020, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Oakdale, CA - Coordinates: 37.756389, -120.795555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7564&lon=-120.7956&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101182/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101182 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA127 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080); cases with it: [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## 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 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: FLIGHTstar 2 (SL) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 194 - Year built: 1997 - Engines: 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. - 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 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101182. 791 KB in all. - Record of Conversation-Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485539&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Pilot-Master.PDF - Onsite Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 654 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Onsite%20Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with the Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40487051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Pilot%20-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.