CircumFlightN138CT Flight Design CTSW accident
NTSB ERA21LA073 · 2020-12-13 · Marion , NC · near 9A9
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The pilot and passenger were departing for a cross-country flight in calm wind conditions. Shortly after liftoff, at an airspeed of about 46 knots, the airplane suddenly yawed to the right and came back down on the runway. The pilot elected to reject the takeoff. The airplane continued to veer to the right, and the airplane departed the runway and entered an area of soft terrain. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Following the accident, the pilot thought that the rudder had malfunctioned. However, examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of a preaccident malfunction or anomaly. Thus, the pilot likely did not maintain yaw control of the airplane during the takeoff.
Full narrative
On December 13, 2020, about 1045 eastern standard time, a Flight Design CTSW, N138CT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marion, North Carolina. The airline transport pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that all preflight operations were routine for the cross-country flight to Frankfort, Kentucky. Shortly after liftoff at an airspeed of about 46 knots, the airplane suddenly yawed to the right and came back down on the runway. The pilot elected to reject the takeoff, but the airplane continued to veer to the right. The airplane then departed the runway and entered an area of soft terrain. The nosewheel collapsed, and the airplane nosed over.
The pilot also reported that the takeoff gross weight was 1,310 pounds, which was 10 pounds below maximum gross weight for the airplane. He also reported that “something failed in the rudder.”
Postaccident examination of the airplane found that the nose gear had collapsed and was crushed into the lower fuselage. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were structurally damaged. Flight control continuity was established from the rudder to the cockpit rudder pedals. The pedals were jammed and would not move. Further examination revealed that the collapsed nose gear bent the rod between the rudder pedal assembly and the nose gear steering linkage. Otherwise, the rudder was free and clear with full travel available. Flight control continuity was also confirmed from the elevator and ailerons to the cockpit controls.
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff, resulting in a rejected takeoff and runway excursion. 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
- 0
- Temperature (F)
- 57
- Nearest airport
- Shiflet Field
- Distance from field
- 0.0
- Airport elevation
- 1212
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N138CT | FLIGHT DESIGN | CTSW | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Takeoff Loss of control in flight defining | Takeoff |
| 2 | Takeoff-rejected takeoff Runway excursion | Takeoff |
| 3 | Takeoff-rejected takeoff Nose over/nose down | Takeoff |