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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 11, 2010 · Piper PA-18 · N350CC

Aspen, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Aspen, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N350CC
Operator
Charles W Cullwell
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA472

The pilot was taking off on runway 33. As the tail started coming off the ground, the plane veered off to the left and "accelerated into a typical ground loop." After the accident, four witnesses approached the pilot and told him that right after he added power, the wind sock swung around into a 90-degree crosswind and that a strong gust moved across the field. The pilot said that age was slowly "having its effect," and was slowing his reaction time.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.

Full Narrative

On August 11, 2010, approximately 1115 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N350CC, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during takeoff roll at Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field (ASE), Aspen, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's accident report, he was taking off on runway 33. He wrote: "As the tail started coming off the ground, the plane veered off to the left and accelerated into a typical ground loop." The pilot said that after the accident, four witnesses approached him and told him that right after he added power, the wind sock swung around into a 90-degree crosswind and that a strong gust moved across the field. The pilot said he made several mistakes. He said should have waited longer for the storm that was in the area to move farther west; he should not have gone to the end of the runway but asked the tower for an intersection departure; and he should have paid more attention to the wind sock at the downwind end of the runway. The pilot added that "Age is slowly having its effect" and his "reaction time is not what it use to be."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 MDT
Nearest AirportAspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Fld (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length7006 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN350CC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles W Cullwell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 11 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.36 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data