On May 14, 2006, a Cessna 320 (registration N5799X) operated by Charles Conard was involved in an aviation accident near Long Beach, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane during takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During takeoff, the wing tip fuel tank impacted the runway, leading the pilot to abort. The pilot reported no mechanical issues and suspected a gust or microburst.
Incident Details
The event occurred during the takeoff roll. As the airplane lifted off, the left wing was observed to be slightly low, and the pilot noted that the airplane was not climbing. While turning into the wind, the right wing dropped, causing the wing tip fuel tank to strike the runway surface. The pilot then aborted the takeoff by pulling the power to idle, and the airplane came to a stop just beyond the runway.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that the taxi and run-up were uneventful. During takeoff, he noted a wind from the left (south) and set the flight controls for a crosswind takeoff. He advanced the throttles to takeoff power and rotated the airplane. After the wing tip impact, he stabilized the airplane and reduced power. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He believed that a gust of wind or a small microburst may have prevented the airplane from climbing and contributed to the right wing tip impacting the ground.
Aftermath
The airplane stopped just beyond the runway following the aborted takeoff. No further details about the extent of damage or subsequent actions were provided in the source.