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NTSB Report
December 31, 1991 · Piper PA32RT-300 · N39459
Big Bear City, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Big Bear City, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA32RT-300
Tail Number
N39459
Operator
Aero Haven
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX92LA074
THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE DEPARTING ON A NIGHT VISUAL FLIGHT RULES CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A HAND CONTROL MECHANISM MOUNTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CENTER CONTROL CONSOLE. THIS REQUIRED THE PILOT TO MANIPULATE ALL OF THE AIRPLANE CONTROLS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CONTROL COLUMN, WITH THE RIGHT HAND. DURING THE TAKE-OFF ROLL, THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY USE THE RUDDER CONTROL BY RELAXING RIGHT RUDDER CONTROL PRESSURE. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK AN 8 INCH BERM OF SNOW LOCATED ALONG THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PREVAILING VISIBILITY CONDITIONS VARIED FROM 3/4 OF A MILE, DOWN TO 50 FEET WHICH RESTRICTED THE PILOT'S VISUAL ACUITY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE OBSCURED BY SNOW.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION BY THE COMPANY OF A HAND CONTROL MECHANISM THAT REQUIRED THE PILOT TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE CONTROLS WITH ONE HAND AND RESTRICTED VISUAL OUTLOOK DUE TO THE EXISTING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE DEPARTING ON A NIGHT VISUAL FLIGHT RULES CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A HAND CONTROL MECHANISM MOUNTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CENTER CONTROL CONSOLE. THIS REQUIRED THE PILOT TO MANIPULATE ALL OF THE AIRPLANE CONTROLS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CONTROL COLUMN, WITH THE RIGHT HAND. DURING THE TAKE-OFF ROLL, THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY USE THE RUDDER CONTROL BY RELAXING RIGHT RUDDER CONTROL PRESSURE. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK AN 8 INCH BERM OF SNOW LOCATED ALONG THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PREVAILING VISIBILITY CONDITIONS VARIED FROM 3/4 OF A MILE, DOWN TO 50 FEET WHICH RESTRICTED THE PILOT'S VISUAL ACUITY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE OBSCURED BY SNOW.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:10 PST
Nearest AirportBig Bear City (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length5850 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA32RT-300
Tail NumberN39459
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAero Haven
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G50 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:00
Weather SourceWFAC