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May 19, 2014 · Piper PA 28-181 181 · N9631C

Yuma, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Yuma, CO
Aircraft
Piper PA 28-181 181 (1978)
Tail Number
N9631C
Operator
Heartland Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN14LA245

The pilot reported that after referencing the airport windsock, which indicated a variable and gusty wind condition, he decided to takeoff on runway 16. The airplane was on takeoff roll when, before achieving liftoff, it encountered a wind gust that raised the right wing. The pilot was unable to correct for the wind gust before the airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted a drainage ditch. He reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of wind data readings, taken during the hour before the accident, established that the wind direction and speed had been from the north at 13-15 knots with recorded wind gusts between 20-26 knots. Additionally, the wind speed had increased throughout the same time period. The use of runway 16 would have resulted in a tailwind condition and an increased ground speed required to achieve a normal liftoff. The higher ground speed likely contributed to the pilot's inability to maintain directional control after the airplane encountered the wind gust.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after the airplane encountered a wind gust during takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot inadvertently using a runway that resulted in a gusty tailwind condition.

Full Narrative

On May 19, 2014, about 0930 mountain daylight time, a Piper model PA-28-180 airplane, N9631C, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway during takeoff at Yuma Municipal Airport (2V6), Yuma, Colorado. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Heartland Aviation Incorporated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the student solo cross-country flight that was destined for Alliance Municipal Airport (AIA), Alliance, Nebraska.The student pilot reported that after referencing the airport windsock, which indicated a variable and gusty wind condition, he decided to takeoff on runway 16 (4,200 feet by 75 feet, concrete). He stated that before achieving liftoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust that raised the right wing. He was unable to correct for the wind gust before the airplane departed the left side of the runway and descended into a drainage ditch. The airplane lower forward fuselage and engine mount sustained substantial damage when the nose gear collapsed. He reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At 0932, a local weather station, located in Yuma, Colorado, reported the wind direction was from 001 degrees at 18 knots, with 26 knot wind gusts. A review of wind data readings, taken during the hour before the accident, established that the wind direction and speed had been from the north at 13-15 knots with recorded wind gusts between 20-26 knots. Additionally, the wind speed had increased throughout the same time period. The nearest aviation weather reporting station was at the Wray Municipal Airport (2V5), located about 25 miles east of the accident site. At 0935, the 2V5 weather observing system reported: wind from 340 degrees at 18 knots, gusting 24 knots; 10 miles visibility; clear sky conditions; temperature 23 degrees Celsius; dew point 10 degrees Celsius; and an altimeter setting of 29.70 inches-of-mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MDT
Nearest AirportYuma Municipal Airport (0nm SSE)
Runway16
Runway Length4200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 28-181 181
Tail NumberN9631C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHeartland Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 18 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.70 inHg
Observation Time09:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data