Cessna 172 N6448B

Summary

On 15 June 1999 at about 19:30 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N6448B was involved in an accident near Needles, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 June 1999 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Needles, California, United States

Coordinates

34.7793, -114.5908

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N6448B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Bullhead City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX99LA217

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain alignment with the road used for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a construction sign during the initial climb.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot landed the aircraft on a county road and taxied near an automotive service station. The pilot told the service station attendant that he was unsure if he had sufficient fuel aboard to reach his destination. He purchased 5 gallons of automotive gasoline in a container, carried it to the aircraft, and poured it in the right wing tank. With his one passenger aboard, the pilot then started the aircraft, taxied back up the road, turned around, and initiated takeoff. The road has a slight curve in the area and the witnesses were concerned that the aircraft did not appear properly aligned with the road. Immediately after the aircraft became airborne the left wing tip struck the post of a construction sign, the aircraft veered left, struck the top of a chain link fence, and nosed over inverted. The pilot told a Sheriff's deputy that he hit the pole because he lost directional control due to a gust of wind. The deputy estimated that winds were from the southwest about 5 knots with frequent, abrupt gusts to about 20 knots, and the temperature was in excess of 110 degrees (Fahrenheit).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.