N6448B

On June 15, 1999, at 1230 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6448B, was substantially damaged when the left wing tip struck a sign post, the aircraft veered into a chain link fence, and then nosed over inverted during takeoff from a county road, 22 miles west of Needles, California. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight. The flight was destined for Bullhead City, Arizona.

According to a San Bernadino County Sheriff's Deputy, witnesses reported that the pilot landed the aircraft on Goffs (county) Road, immediately north of the Interstate 40 interchange, and taxied near an automotive service station. Goffs Road runs north-south; however, in the area where the pilot landed, the road turns and parallels Interstate 40 in an east-west direction for about 1/2 mile. The pilot told the service station attendant that he was en route to Bullhead City and was unsure if he had sufficient fuel aboard. 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 in a westerly direction. The road has a slight curve in this 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 the chain link fence, and then nosed over inverted. According to the deputy, the pilot said 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).