Cessna 120 N90129

Summary

On 18 January 2022 at about 17:00 local time, a Cessna 120 registered N90129 was involved in an accident near Sturtevant, Wisconsin, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 January 2022 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Sturtevant, Wisconsin, United States

Nearest airport

Sylvania (C89)

Coordinates

42.7031, -87.9590

Aircraft

Cessna 120

Registration

N90129

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → East Troy

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN22LA103

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A review airport security camera footage showed the airplane was attempting to depart to the east. About a quarter way down the length of the runway after the beginning of the takeoff roll, the airplane departed the runway to the left (north). Airport security video footage showed the airplane travel over a flat grass field with the engine running. The footage did not show the airplane become airborne at any time, and the tailwheel appeared to remain on the ground during the runway excursion. The airplane came to rest after it impacted the cabin of an unoccupied, parked fuel truck. The pilot reported he recalled taxiing for takeoff and applying engine power for the takeoff; however, he was unable to recall any additional events. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies. The postaccident emergency care did not identify any medical conditions the pilot had that might have contributed to the accident. The pilot’s pre-accident use of atorvastatin, famotidine, and fexofenadine, all non-impairing medications identified by toxicology testing of the pilot’s samples, also did not contribute to the circumstances of this accident. It is likely a loss of control occurred during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with an object. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.