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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

January 6, 2005 · Champion 7FC · N8566E

Soperton, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 6, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Soperton, GA
Aircraft
Champion 7FC
Tail Number
N8566E
Operator
Howard B Cauley
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL05CA040

The pilot stated he initiated a takeoff roll, and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot's attempts to regain control were unsuccessful, and the airplane's left wingtip struck trees along the left edge of the runway. The airplane then spun around the left, and the right wing root and the propeller spinner struck the trees. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. The pilot reported he had not received tailwheel instruction from a certificated flight instructor, and he did not have a tailwheel endorsement. He stated he had accumulated about 0.4 hours in the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff roll, which resulted in an on-ground collision with trees. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in a tailwheel airplane.

Full Narrative

On January 6, 2005, at 1630 eastern standard time, a Champion 7FC tailwheel conversion, N8566E, registered to and operated by a private owner, collided with trees during takeoff roll at Cauley Airstrip (private) in Soperton, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditioned prevailed. The private pilot reported no injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident on January 6, 2005. The pilot stated he applied full throttle and initiated a takeoff roll. The pilot stated that after the tailwheel raised off the ground, the airplane yawed and veered to the left, and the right wing dipped. As the pilot attempted to regain control of the airplane, the left wingtip struck trees along the left edge of the runway. The airplane then spun around the left, and the right wing root and the propeller spinner struck the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wingtip was damaged, the right wing spar was damaged, and the engine mount was bent. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. The pilot reported he had not received tailwheel instruction from a certificated flight instructor, and he did not have a tailwheel endorsement. He stated he had accumulated about 0.4 hours in the airplane. Cauley Airstrip is approximately 1800 feet long and 150 feet wide.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EST
Nearest AirportCauley'S Airstrip (Private) (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7FC
Tail NumberN8566E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHoward B Cauley
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data