NTSB CAROL · Event
Event GAA17CA217
Registry · N81173
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
FUNK B85C
Engine
CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES (85 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19560615
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AB107C
Registrant of record
FUNK AEROPLANE CO
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll.
Factual narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane started to veer left. As he recovered, the airplane "violently" turned to the right and exited the runway. He reduced the engine power and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane started to veer left. As he recovered, the airplane "violently" turned to the right and exited the runway. He reduced the engine power, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12
NTSB Findings
Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).
- C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
- C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2017_GAA17CA217.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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