September 7, 2009, Truckee, Calif., Cessna P206B

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at about 1849 Pacific time, shortly after taking off. The private pilot and three passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported the airplane seemed like it was not climbing and started to descend. Subsequently, the airplane impacted an open field about one-half mile southeast of the airport and nosed over. A passenger reported the pilot performed an engine run-up and did not notice anything irregular.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in substantial damage and serious injuries to the private pilot and three passengers.
  • Witnesses observed the aircraft failing to climb and descending, while a passenger reported the plane pitched upward, followed by alternating wing dips before impacting the ground inverted.
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The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at about 1849 Pacific time, shortly after taking off. The private pilot and three passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

Witnesses reported the airplane seemed like it was not climbing and started to descend. Subsequently, the airplane impacted an open field about one-half mile southeast of the airport and nosed over. A passenger reported the pilot performed an engine run-up and did not notice anything irregular. The climb was normal until the airplane suddenly pitched upward. The pilot leveled the airplane and the “right wing dipped.” As the pilot leveled the airplane a second time, the “left wing dipped” and the airplane impacted the ground, coming to rest inverted.

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