AERO-ACE CE 1
Cottonwood, AZ — June 26, 2017
Event Information
| Date | June 26, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA370 |
| Event ID | 20170626X04225 |
| Location | Cottonwood, AZ |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 34.73111, -112.03555 |
| Airport | COTTONWOOD |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | AERO-ACE |
| Model | CE 1 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, immediately after takeoff, the airplane drifted hard to the right. He applied left aileron and left rudder with no avail. Subsequently, the right wing and landing gear impacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest nose down.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation system about 14 nautical miles from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 200° at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 32.
As a recommendation, the pilot reported that a higher takeoff speed would have helped him better control the airplane.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.