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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 10, 2003 · Aero Commander S2R · N8912Q

Tulelake, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Tulelake, CA
Aircraft
Aero Commander S2R
Tail Number
N8912Q
Operator
Macy S Flying Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03LA230

The pilot lost control of the airplane during the ground roll portion of takeoff. The airplane veered off the runway and decelerated in an adjacent soft field. The agricultural flight was originating at the time of the pilot's 0600 departure. The pilot acknowledged that had he performed a better preflight inspection, he would not have left the gust lock on the right aileron. During the takeoff roll, the airplane's wingtip contacted the runway. Thereafter, the airplane slid across the ground and came to a stop in an adjacent field.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to remove the gust lock, which resulted in his loss of airplane control.

Full Narrative

On July 10, 2003, about 0600 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N8912Q, experienced a loss of control during the takeoff roll at the Tulelake Municipal Airport, Tulelake, California. The airplane veered off the left side of runway 11 and came to rest upon decelerating in a soft field about 200 yards from the runway's edge. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot received a minor injury. The airplane was owned and operated by Macy's Flying Service, Inc., Tulelake. The accident occurred during an attempted takeoff for an agricultural flight performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was originating at the time of the accident. In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," he indicated that during the takeoff roll he had experienced a total loss of aileron control. He also indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he performed a better preflight inspection because he would not have left the gust lock on the right aileron. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector opined that the pilot apparently forgot to remove the right aileron to flap gust lock. He further opined that about rotation speed, the pilot would have put down some amount of flaps to aid his takeoff, and the airplane veered off the runway. The airplane's left wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane slid across the ground until coming to a stop in the adjacent field.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:00 PDT
Nearest AirportTulelake Municipal (0nm)
Runway11
Runway Length3577 ft
Runway Width44 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Commander S2R
Tail NumberN8912Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMacy S Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time13:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data