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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 15, 2012 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N3779T

Dover, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 15, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dover, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N3779T
Operator
Hulsart Bruce W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12CA232

The pilot was taking off on a turf runway; during the takeoff roll, about the time of rotation, a gust of wind pushed the airplane into a stack of tires that marked the runway’s left boundary. The pilot completed the takeoff; however, the left main landing gear had sustained damage during the impact with the tires. The pilot subsequently returned and landed on the same runway. During the landing, the left side of the airplane settled onto the ground due to the damaged left main landing gear, which resulted in ground contact that substantially damaged the left wing. Postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind at an airport about 30 miles northeast of the accident site was from 250 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots about the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with an object and a landing gear collapse during the subsequent landing.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that he was performing a takeoff on runway 25, a 2,560-foot-long, 30-foot-wide, turf runway. During the takeoff roll, about the time of rotation, a gust of wind forced the airplane left into a stack of tires that marked the runway boundary. The pilot completed the takeoff; however, the left main landing gear had sustained damage during the impact with the tires. The pilot subsequently returned and landed on the same runway. During the landing, the left side of the airplane settled onto the ground due to the damaged left main landing gear, which resulted in ground contact with the left wing and horizontal stabilizer. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The recorded wind at an airport located approximately 30 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 250 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 CDT
Nearest AirportShort Creek Airport (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length2560 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN3779T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHulsart Bruce W
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · I0360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time17:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data