Healdsburg Aviation, Inc.; Fuel; Air BP 100LL;
Self service 100LL 24 hours;
Airport
Area Accident History:Accident occurred Thursday, May 21, 2009 in
Healdsburg, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/19/2009
Aircraft: Westerhout/Gagnier Escapade, registration: N29DY
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The pilot said he had completed an uneventful flight earlier in the day. On
the accident flight, he performed an engine run-up, which included a magneto
check with no mechanical anomalies encountered. He taxied to the active
runway (runway 13), and noted the winds were light about 5 knots from the
south. The takeoff roll was normal, and they lifted off at 50 mph. After
rotation, the airplane started a left bank for no apparent reason. The pilot
did not pull back on the control stick; however, he attempted to align the
airplane with the runway. He noted that the airplane did not respond to his
roll input and continued in the left bank. The pilot also stated that the
airplane had started a slight climb just prior to impacting the vineyard.
After the initial contact with the vineyard, the airplane became airborne
again and then dropped back into the vineyard. The pilot stated that there
were no mechanical problems with the airplane and he believes that the
winds may have shifted to more of a south wind at the time of the loss of
control event. Reported winds at the time were from 140 degrees at 5 knots.
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Accident occurred Thursday, May 21, 2009 in Healdsburg, CA
Aircraft: MOONEY M20J, registration: N4718H
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors.
Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been
completed.
On May 21, 2009, about 1655 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N4718H,
experienced a loss of engine power after takeoff from runway 13 and made an
off airport landing in a vineyard at the Healdsburg Airport (O31),
Healdsburg, California. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the
provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight.
The airplane sustained structural damage during the forced landing. Visual
meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight
plan had been filed. The flight was destined for Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma
County Airport (STS), Santa Rosa, California.
According to the pilot, he had gone to Healdsburg to have the engine's
number 2 fuel injector cleaned by a local fixed based operator (FBO).
Following the maintenance, the pilot noted that the engine was not
developing power during the takeoff roll, but at the last minute it "kicked
in" and he decided to continue the takeoff "due to the short runway." He
attempted a turn back to the airport, but realized that he wasn't going to
make it, and decided to land in the vineyard. The pilot stated that after
takeoff the number 3 cylinder "dropped on him."
The responding deputy from Sonoma County Sheriff's Department reported that
approximately 50 vines were destroyed or damaged during the accident.
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Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The wing dragged on the ground during takeoff.
The pilot rotated at 75 knots. Shortly after liftoff, he felt the airplane
roll and yaw; he thought that he was encountering a wind shear. The pilot
initiated corrective control inputs with the rudder, neutral aileron, and
forward yoke pressure. The airplane attitude and flight path returned to
normal, and the pilot retracted the landing gear. The pilot did not feel or
hear the impact of the left wing tip and was surprised to see the damage
during the climb phase of the flight. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport
where he executed an emergency landing. The pilot stated that the airplane
and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The
National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of
this accident as follows: the pilot's failure to maintain lateral aircraft
control during takeoff. ===
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The runway is situated on a plateau with a
windsock located at the departure end of the runway on a 30-foot steel pole.
During climb out the airplane encountered a crosswind approximately 30 feet
above the runway. Due to the unfavorable wind condition, the pilot was
unable to maintain runway alignment and noted that the airplane did not gain
altitude. The CFI took the control yoke and attempted to maintain airspeed
and altitude while trying to avoid a vineyard. He noted that they were
running out of suitable airport environment and terrain to make a forced
landing and were not able to climb. In order to avoid the windsock, the CFI
had to raise the nose; the airplane stalled and impacted a grassy area about
100 feet from the runway edge and about 20 feet below the airport. The
National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of
this accident as follows: Failure of the flight review pilot to compensate
for the crosswind and maintain flying speed during takeoff.
