Summary
On June 12, 2009, a Cessna 175A (N7979T) was involved in an incident near Polacca, AZ. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to adequately estimate the required distance to avoid obstructions while taking off from a road.
After making a precautionary landing on a two-lane highway and adding oil to the airplane’s engine, the pilot attempted to takeoff from the highway. The local police provided vehicle traffic control and blocked off the amount of highway the pilot estimated he would need for the takeoff. According to the pilot’s report, he was reaching takeoff speed when he realized he would not be airborne in time to clear a police vehicle. He altered his takeoff ground roll to the right in an attempt to avoid the vehicle. The right wing of the airplane impacted a highway sign. The airplane continued off the highway to the right and down an embankment. It nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in structural damage to the wings and the vertical stabilizer.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR09CA285. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7979T.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to adequately estimate the required distance to avoid obstructions while taking off from a road.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
After making a precautionary landing on a two-lane highway and adding oil to the airplane’s engine, the pilot attempted to takeoff from the highway. The local police provided vehicle traffic control and blocked off the amount of highway the pilot estimated he would need for the takeoff. According to the pilot’s report, he was reaching takeoff speed when he realized he would not be airborne in time to clear a police vehicle. He altered his takeoff ground roll to the right in an attempt to avoid the vehicle. The right wing of the airplane impacted a highway sign. The airplane continued off the highway to the right and down an embankment. It nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in structural damage to the wings and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its engine during the takeoff attempt.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR09CA285