Summary
On February 12, 1994, a Cessna 120 (N1626V) was involved in an accident near Chittenango, NY. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PLANNING/DECISION TO TAKE OFF WITH THE PRESENCE OF A TAILWIND.
On Saturday, February 12, 1994, at 1430 hours eastern standard time, a Cessna 120, N1626V, collided with a tree during takeoff climb near Chittenango, New York. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries and his passenger received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight was being operated by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.
An FAA safety inspector interviewed the pilot after the accident. The pilot told the inspector that he elected to takeoff on runway 27 from a private airstrip. He said he performed the takeoff downwind because he would have a greater distance for his takeoff and that he would be going downhill on the takeoff.
This accident is documented in NTSB report BFO94LA039. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1626V.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PLANNING/DECISION TO TAKE OFF WITH THE PRESENCE OF A TAILWIND.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On Saturday, February 12, 1994, at 1430 hours eastern standard time, a Cessna 120, N1626V, collided with a tree during takeoff climb near Chittenango, New York. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries and his passenger received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight was being operated by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.
An FAA safety inspector interviewed the pilot after the accident. The pilot told the inspector that he elected to takeoff on runway 27 from a private airstrip. He said he performed the takeoff downwind because he would have a greater distance for his takeoff and that he would be going downhill on the takeoff. The wind at the time of takeoff was reported to be from 060 degrees magnetic at 9 nautical miles per hour. The pilot stated the airplane lifted off from the runway during the takeoff,"the wind picked up" and it could not gain enough airspeed or altitude to get out of ground effect. The pilot said "ski caught in tree flipping aircraft on its back."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# BFO94LA039