Event LAX05CA195

Factual narrative

On June 5, 2005, about 1330 mountain standard time, a Boeing A75N-1, N351AH, collided with a fence and other objects after takeoff near the Big Springs Ranch Airport, Paulden, Arizona. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Paulden about 1330. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot noted that the flight was the second flight of the day with the purpose of sightseeing with friends. He did not receive a weather briefing, but did visually check the weather and windsock before takeoff. He stated that the windsock showed an 8-knot wind from the south. He used runway 8 for the takeoff and rotated about 60 knots. He started a left turn about halfway down the runway, using 30 to 45 degrees of bank. The airplane was about 100 feet above ground level. He stated that 20 degrees into the turn, he "felt the aircraft shudder and the left wing drop." He then relaxed back pressure and leveled the wings. The airplane's right landing gear impacted a 5-foot-high fence. The airplane continued beyond the fence, and collided with a trailer, lawnmower, garage, and driveway. Damage was incurred to the right main gear, both the upper and lower wings, the left elevator and horizontal stabilizer, and the propeller. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted that the windsock showed a gusting wind from the southwest. The closest official weather observation station was Prescott, Arizona (PRC), which was about 16 nautical miles (nm) southeast of the accident site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 5,000 feet mean sea level (msl). An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for PRC was issued at 1353. It stated: winds from 220 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 21 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The airplane collided with objects in the takeoff initial climb, substantially damaging the airplane. On his second flight of the day, the pilot did not receive a weather briefing, but did visually check the weather and windsock before takeoff. He stated that the windsock showed an 8-knot wind from the south. He used runway 8 for the takeoff and rotated about 60 knots. He started a left turn about halfway down the runway, using 30 to 45 degrees of bank. The airplane was about 100 feet above ground level. He stated that 20 degrees into the turn, he "felt the aircraft shudder and the left wing drop." He then relaxed back pressure and leveled the wings. The airplane's right landing gear then impacted a 5-foot-high fence. The airplane continued beyond the fence, and collided with other objects. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted that the windsock showed a gusting wind from the southwest. The closest official weather observation station was about 16 nautical miles (nm) southeast of the accident site, and was reporting winds from 220 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 21 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12