Van Nuys Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Van Nuys, California 91406
Tuesady, January 27, 1998 12:30 PST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

While on the takeoff roll the aircraft pulled hard to the left and the pilot counteracted with full right rudder. The aircraft departed the runway, crossed a grass area and a taxiway, and continued to a ramp area. The pilot was unable to stop the accident aircraft from impacting two parked aircraft. Winds at the time were from 090 degrees at 7 knots. The aircraft was examined on-scene and no mechanical difficulties were noted with the brakes. Flight control continuity was established on scene.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. A related factor was the crosswind.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 1/27/1998
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 1230
Event Time Zone Pacific Standard Time
Event City VAN NUYS
Event State CALIFORNIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 91406
Event Date Year 1998
Event Date Month 1
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude
Event Location Longitude
Event Location Airport VAN NUYS AIRPORT
Event Location Nearest Airport ID VNY
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 799
Weather Briefing Completeness Not pertinent
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1220 Pacific Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID VNY
Elevation of weather observation facility 799
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation PST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 10000
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Scattered
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 6
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 21
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 7
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 90
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 7
Wind Velocity Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30
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 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency FAA
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 333
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date Jan 27 1998 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1228
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information IMAGE
Date of most recent change to record Dec 11 2000 10:40AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N7921S
NTSB Number LAX98LA078
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 Bellanca
Aircraft Model 8KCAB
Aircraft Series Identifier 8KCAB
Aircraft Serial Number 272-76
Certified Max Gross Weight 1800
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 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection 100 Hour
Date of Last Inspection May 10 1997 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 83
Airframe Hours 1436
ELT Installed Unknown
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name INVERTIBLE INC.
Aircraft Owner Street Address 4310 WHITSETT AV. #1
Aircraft Owner City STUDIO CITY
Aircraft Owner State CA
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 91604
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name WARREN E. LEAVITT JR.
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address
Operator City
Operator State
Operator Country
Operator Zip code
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 VNY
Departure City
Departure State
Departure Country
Departure Time 1230
Departure Time Zone PST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code
Destination City
Destination State
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 16R
Runway Length 8001
Runway Width 150
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --