Cessna 170B N2600D

Summary

On 30 June 2013 at about 20:50 local time, a Cessna 170B registered N2600D was involved in an accident near Fallbrook, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 June 2013 at 20:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Fallbrook, California, United States

Nearest airport

Fallbrook (L18)

Coordinates

33.3542, -117.2508

Aircraft

Cessna 170B

Registration

N2600D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fallbrook → Corona

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13CA301

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff, and his loss of aircraft control during the subsequent stall recovery.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot intended to perform a short-field takeoff in the tailwheel equipped airplane for both practice, and as a demonstration to the passenger. His intention was to climbout at the airplane's best angle of climb airspeed (48 mph). He stated that the airspeed indicator was not accurate at low airspeeds, and that an indicated airspeed of 40 mph was actually 50 mph true. He selected 20 degrees of flaps, and observed the angle of wind vary during both the run-up, and while lining the airplane up on the runway. As he began the takeoff roll, the wind moved to a direct headwind, and he initiated rotation at an indicated airspeed of 40 mph. He maintained that airspeed, and once they reached an altitude of 150 feet agl, the airframe began to shudder. The airplane began to descend, and he applied forward elevator control in an effort to regain control. After doing so, the runway came into view, and concerned that they might collide with the ground, he released elevator pressure. The airplane subsequently settled just left of the runway and ground looped, coming to rest on its nose. The pilot stated that the accident could have been avoided if he increased the takeoff airspeed to counter for the wind conditions, and applied more down elevator pressure during the subsequent recovery. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, and the pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.