University Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Davis, California 95616
Tuesady, October 31, 1995 8:15 PST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL IN THE CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANE, THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO THE AIRPLANE'S FLOOR AND DID NOT INITIALLY OBSERVE THE AIRPLANE VEERING OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND APPLIED BRAKES. THE AIRPLANE EXITED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, ENCOUNTERED SOFT TERRAIN, AND NOSED OVER. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll by diverting his attention.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 10/31/1995
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 815
Event Time Zone Pacific Standard Time
Event City DAVIS
Event State CALIFORNIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 95616
Event Date Year 1995
Event Date Month 10
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude
Event Location Longitude
Event Location Airport UNIVERSITY
Event Location Nearest Airport ID 0O5
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 68
Weather Briefing Completeness Not pertinent
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation 0
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID
Elevation of weather observation facility 0
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 0
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 20
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 18
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 220
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 5
Wind Velocity Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation Unknown
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries 0
On Ground, Minor Injuries 0
On Ground, Serious Injuries 0
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 1138
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date Oct 31 1995 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 910
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information IMAGE
Date of most recent change to record Dec 7 2000 4:40PM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N3562A
NTSB Number LAX96LA030
Missing Aircraft Indicator N
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name PIPER
Aircraft Model PA-22-135
Aircraft Series Identifier PA-22-135
Aircraft Serial Number 22-1831
Certified Max Gross Weight 1850
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Oct 1 1995 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 1
Airframe Hours 2756
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name EDWARD CROTTY
Aircraft Owner Street Address 19051 SWALLOW WAY
Aircraft Owner City PENN VALLEY
Aircraft Owner State CA
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 95946
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name WILLIAM H. FARMER
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address 6762 PARK RIVIERA WAY
Operator City SACRAMENTO
Operator State CA
Operator Country
Operator Zip code 95831
Operator Code
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation Unknown
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code 0O5
Departure City
Departure State
Departure Country
Departure Time 815
Departure Time Zone PST
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code 045
Destination City VACAVILLE
Destination State CA
Destination Country
Specific Phase of Flight Takeoff
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 2 2001 10:34AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 16
Runway Length 3185
Runway Width 50
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --