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GAA17CA217

2017-04-05 · Cedar City, Utah, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport CDC

Current FAA registration · N81173

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

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

FAA avdata. C = Cause, 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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