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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 23, 2003 · Piper PA-22-150 · N2968Z

Columbus, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 23, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Columbus, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N2968Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA071

The certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing flight instruction to the private pilot/owner of the tail-wheeled airplane. The CFI stated that the private pilot began the takeoff roll from the 5,500-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane was almost at takeoff speed when it began to veer to the right. The CFI took control of the airplane, and attempted to correct; however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and ground-looped. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. Examination of the runway revealed a tire mark began about 350 feet from the beginning of the runway. A second parallel tire mark began to the left of the first tire mark, about 675 feet from the beginning of the runway, and both tire marks continued to the accident site. The airplane came to rest in a grass area, approximately 1,132 feet from the beginning of the runway. Both pilots were unsure if the private pilot had his feet positioned on the rudder pedals in such a way that he inadvertently applied brakes during the takeoff. Winds at the time of the accident were calm.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot under instruction's failure to maintain directional control, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

On March 23, 2003, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N2968Z, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Bolton Field (TZR), Columbus, Ohio. The certificated flight instructor (CFI), a private pilot, and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for the Anderson Regional Airport (AND), Anderson, South Carolina. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, the tail-wheeled airplane was recently purchased by the private pilot, who was also his brother-in-law. The private pilot had not flown regularly since 1983, and the CFI provided the private pilot flight instruction in the airplane, the day before the accident. During the accident flight, the CFI stated the private pilot began the takeoff roll from runway 22, a 5,500-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane was almost at takeoff speed when it began to veer to the right. The CFI took control of the airplane, and attempted to correct; however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and ground-looped. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. The CFI stated that they did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He also said the takeoff was attempted with "very little wind." Winds reported at the airport, at 1525, were calm. Examination of the runway by the Ohio State Highway Patrol revealed a tire mark began about 350 feet from the beginning of runway 22. A second parallel tire mark began to the left of the first tire mark, about 675 feet from the beginning of the runway, and both tire marks continued to the accident site. The airplane came to rest in a grass area, approximately 1,132 feet from the beginning of the runway. During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, both pilots were unsure if the private pilot had his feet positioned on the rudder pedals in such a way that he inadvertently applied brakes during the takeoff roll. The CFI and private pilot reported 600 and 280 hours of flight experience in make and model; respectively.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EST
Nearest AirportBolton Field Airport (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN2968Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 53 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 39 C
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time20:25
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data