Boeing A75-L3 accident near Lake Wales, Florida, May 21, 2006
On May 21, 2006 at about 1:40 pm local time, a Boeing A75-L3, registered N60562, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lake Wales, Florida (Chalet Suzanne airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a collision with trees during a precautionary landing when the airplane touched down to the right of the runway edge. A factor contributing to the accident was a reported loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 2006 · about 1:40 pm local time
- Place
- Lake Wales, Florida · Chalet Suzanne · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing A75-L3 · all A75-L3s on the register
- Registration
- N60562 · no longer on the register · serial 75-1942
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport certificated pilot was departing from a turf-surfaced runway in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The runway was 2,313 feet long and 50 feet wide. The pilot reported that his preflight and engine run-up were normal. The pilot applied full engine power to begin the takeoff roll, and he said that the engine rpm gauge indicated 1,850 rpm, which is a normal indication. The pilot said he raised the tail at 40 mph, and lifted off at 60 mph, but the airplane did not accelerate any further, and only gained about 10 feet above the runway. He indicated that he was concerned that the airplane did not appear capable of climbing over trees near the departure end, and he closed the throttle. He said the airplane had drifted to the right side of the runway, and was headed toward trees along the right side. The airplane touched down along the right side of the runway, and the right wing collided with brush, turning the airplane 180 degrees. The airplane received damage to the wings and fuselage, coming to rest near the departure end of the runway. The pilot said the weather conditions included light and variable winds, with a temperature of about 80 degrees F. Two pilot-rated witnesses reported that the airplane drifted to the right during the takeoff roll, with the main landing gear tires outside the runway edge lights. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, the pilot's narrative statement indicated that the airplane experienced an engine power failure, and he checked "yes" on the portion of the report for mechanical malfunction/failure. Following recovery of the airplane to a salvage yard, the engine was started and ran at 1,750 rpm.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 19,000 hours in all; 244 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 17,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,570 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2006; 14 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 680-17 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X25 Lake Wales FL at 1:40 pm
- Destination: SEF Sebring FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,313 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.