Summary
On July 04, 1997, a Cessna P206B (N4733F) was involved in an accident near Desert Center, CA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's unexpected encounter with dust devils during the takeoff ground roll.
On July 4, 1997, at 1400 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna P206B, N4733F, veered off runway 5 on the takeoff roll, and collided with bushes at the Desert Center, California, airport. The aircraft was destroyed by the ensuing fire, and the owner/pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight that originated from the Big Bear Lake, California, airport at 0930.
The pilot reported that just prior to liftoff a gust of wind "slammed me to the right about 20 degrees to 30 degrees off the center line of the runway." He reported that he evacuated the aircraft due to the smell of fire.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX97LA231. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4733F.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's unexpected encounter with dust devils during the takeoff ground roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 4, 1997, at 1400 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna P206B, N4733F, veered off runway 5 on the takeoff roll, and collided with bushes at the Desert Center, California, airport. The aircraft was destroyed by the ensuing fire, and the owner/pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight that originated from the Big Bear Lake, California, airport at 0930.
The pilot reported that just prior to liftoff a gust of wind "slammed me to the right about 20 degrees to 30 degrees off the center line of the runway." He reported that he evacuated the aircraft due to the smell of fire. The pilot stated that "as I was walking to find water and a phone, I noticed 3 twisters (dirt devils) going away from the runway and 2 twisters coming toward the runway."
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector form the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office who is familiar with this airport, this weather phenomena is common during the summer months, and is not associated with any specific wind condition.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA231