N42588 accident

NTSB GAA17CA278 · 2017-05-13 · De Pere, WI · near 9WS2

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Summary

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a grass airstrip, she applied full power and pulled back on the yoke for a soft- and short-field takeoff. She added that, after the nose came off the ground, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the left. The airplane "straddled a drainage ditch until the nose wheel caught on something," and the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing lift strut, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 7 miles north of the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 11 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 18.

Full narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff from a grass airstrip, she applied full power and pulled back on the yoke for a soft-field and short-field takeoff. She added that after the nose came off the ground a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left. The airplane "straddled a drainage ditch until the nose wheel caught on something" and the airplane came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing lift strut, and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 7 miles to the north about the time of the accident reported that the wind was 320° at 11 knots. The airplane was departing runway 18.

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a tailwind. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type
Accident
Highest injury
Minor
Weather conditions
Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition
Day
Sky condition
NONE
Ceiling (ft)
0
Visibility (sm)
10
Wind direction
320
Wind speed (kt)
11
Temperature (F)
72
Nearest airport
ANTIQUE AERODROME
Distance from field
0.0
Airport elevation
655

Aircraft

RegistrationMakeModelDamageFAR part
N42588 — — SUBS 091

Sequence of events

#OccurrencePhase
1 Takeoff Loss of control on ground defining Takeoff
2 Takeoff Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) Takeoff
3 Takeoff Nose over/nose down Takeoff

Findings

Finding
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained cause
Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot cause
Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Decision related to condition factor
Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Ability to respond/compensate factor
Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Ability to respond/compensate factor