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September 5, 2012 · Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 TAIL Dragger · N237TA

Elizabethtown, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Elizabethtown, KY
Aircraft
Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 TAIL Dragger
Tail Number
N237TA
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12CA547

The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, just after he raised the tail to a level attitude, the airplane yawed slightly to the right. As the pilot was correcting for the right yaw, an “extreme wind gust” struck the airplane, and the airplane pitched nose-up and began to roll left. Despite the pilot’s efforts to regain directional control, the airplane departed the left side of the runway into a bean field where it nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that the accident would have been avoided if he had delayed his departure until the approaching weather system had passed. Weather radar data revealed that at the time of the accident a line of thunderstorms, associated with a front, were approaching the airport from the west and were observed over the airport about 8 minutes after the accident. The recorded wind at the time of the accident was from 320 degrees at 23 knots with a peak wind of 27 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane during a takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to take off in gusty wind conditions associated with approaching thunderstorms.

Full Narrative

The pilot initiated the takeoff roll in the tailwheel equipped airplane, raised the tail to a level attitude, and the airplane yawed to the right. The airplane’s nose pitched up and the airplane began to roll left, at which point the pilot attempted to regain directional control; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway into a bean field. The pilot reduced engine power to idle and utilized the wheel brakes; however, the airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard section of the right wing and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Weather radar data revealed that about the time of the accident a line of thunderstorms, associated with a front, were approaching the airport from the west and were observed over the airport about 8 minutes after the accident. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the recorded winds at the time of the accident were 320 degrees at 23 knots with peak winds of 27 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:28 CDT
Nearest AirportAddington Field Airport (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length6001 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCostruzioni Aeronautiche Tecna P92 TAIL Dragger
Tail NumberN237TA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · YO-233-BTA · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time20:42
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data