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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 5, 2018 · Piper PA28 181 · N839AL

Cornelia, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 5, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Cornelia, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA28 181 (2000)
Tail Number
N839AL
Operator
Horizon Dreams Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA088

The flight instructor reported that, during a touch-and-go landing in crosswind conditions and with the student pilot on the controls, the airplane touched down on the runway centerline "but without perfect longitudinal (heading) alignment," and the airplane then veered left. The instructor took control of the airplane and added power to take off, but she did not retract any of the "partial" flaps. She maintained the "slightly" offset direction from the runway during the takeoff roll, and the airplane became airborne as it exited the left side of the runway. The left wing impacted trees and brush. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest at the bottom of a ravine. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 330° at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 6.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain the runway heading during an attempted takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during a touch and go landing in a crosswind, and the student pilot on the controls, the airplane touched down on the runway centerline, "but without perfect longitudinal (heading) alignment", and the airplane veered left. The instructor took control of the airplane, added power to takeoff, but did not retract any of the "partial" flaps. She maintained the "slightly" offset direction during the takeoff roll and the airplane became airborne as it exited the left side of the runway. The left wing impacted trees and brush. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest at the bottom of a ravine. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 330° at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The airplane landed on runway 6.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:35 EST
Nearest AirportHabersham County (0nm SW)
Runway06
Runway Length5506 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 181
Tail NumberN839AL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHorizon Dreams Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-36A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 24 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 7 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 21 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time15:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data