Airplane Yawed Off Runway On Takeoff

Dennis Charles Dangberg had a little mishap on January 12. Investigators say Dangberg told them he was taking off in his twin-engine Beechcraft 95-A55 Baron from Corona Municipal Airport in California for a flight to Phoenix when, at about 20 feet above the runway, the plane banked right, which he assumed was due to a loss of power in that engine.

The aircraft ended up colliding with two parked planes and pushed one into a hangar. Dangberg walked away, and there were no other injuries, but he may have more trouble ahead than just a sheepish talk with his insurance agent.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says the NTSB factual report includes the following: "The pilot stated he had amassed a total flight time in multi-engine airplanes of 45 hours and that he did not possess a multi-engine rating."

On Monday, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor commented, "We are investigating whether Mr. Dangberg was authorized to fly a twin-engine airplane on his own. The one exception that pops to mind is an instructional flight. If you're getting your multi-engine certificate, there's a point at which you have to fly solo.

"Speaking generally, flying illegally ... is an extremely serious offense. Our sanctions start with a warning letter and go up to a revocation."

A witness on the ground also refutes Dangberg's statement about an engine power loss, saying both engines sounded like they were at full power. The witness also commented that the windsock was swinging back and forth between a headwind and a direct, 90-degree crosswind.

FMI: Read The NTSB Prelim