# NTSB WPR23LA165: Oneal J R/Oneal R C EDI Express, N92734, Tracy, CA, April 24, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 24, 2023, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.672425, -121.48301 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6724&lon=-121.4830&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 107122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/107122/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107122
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA165

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

## 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: [Oneal J R/Oneal R C EDI EXPRESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05601AA), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Oneal J R/Oneal R C EDI EXPRESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05601AA), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Oneal J R/Oneal R C EDI EXPRESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05601AA), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Oneal J R/Oneal R C EDI EXPRESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05601AA), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Oneal J R/Oneal R C EDI EXPRESS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05601AA), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left and he corrected with right brake input. The airplane began drifting left again, and the pilot was unable to correct with right rudder or brake. The airplane briefly became airborne and then landed in the grass to the left of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92734](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92734), registered now, S/N 166, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ONEAL J R/ONEAL R C EDI EXPRESS
- Registry model: [Oneal J R/Oneal R C EDI EXPRESS](https://openairdocs.org/model/oneal-j-r-oneal-r-c-edi-express) (registry code 05601AA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-520-series) (registry code 41584, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 166
- Year built: 1996
- Airframe hours: 652
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-1CA 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 19, 2022, 1 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: TCY, Tracy Muni, runway 30, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 775 total, 42 in this make and model, 662 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: KMOD, 23 nm away
- METAR: KMOD 242053Z 34010G17KT 10SM CLR 26/06 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP129 T02610061 58012

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107122. 3.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15460242&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA165%20flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15460708&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA165%20photo-Rel.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.

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