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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 22, 2021 · Piper PA28 181 · N7114C

Faribault, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Faribault, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA28 181 (2017)
Tail Number
N7114C
Operator
Av8 Flight School
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA197

The flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was conducting his fourth takeoff during his first flight lesson, the airplane encountered a wind gust and entered a “sharp” left turn toward a tree line. The flight instructor took control of the airplane, verified the throttle was at full power, and adjusted the airplane’s pitch for best angle of climb airspeed. He thought the airplane had cleared the trees; however, the aft fuselage or empennage struck some branches causing the airplane to lose airspeed. The airplane entered a descent and impacted a field on the other side of the tree line. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, and the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the student pilot was taking off on runway 30 with wind from 270o at 11 knots with gusts to 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff in gusty wind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane colliding with trees and subsequently the ground.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that, while the student pilot was conducting his fourth takeoff during his first flight lesson, the airplane encountered a wind gust and entered a “sharp” left turn toward a tree line. The flight instructor took control of the airplane, verified the throttle was at full power, and adjusted the airplane’s pitch for best angle of climb airspeed. He thought the airplane had cleared the trees; however, the aft fuselage or empennage struck some branches causing the airplane to lose airspeed. The airplane entered a descent and impacted a field on the other side of the tree line. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, and the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the student pilot was taking off on runway 30 with wind from 270o at 11 knots with gusts to 15 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest AirportFairbault Muni (0.3nm SW)
Runway30
Runway Length4257 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 181
Tail NumberN7114C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAv8 Flight School
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 34 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 10 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 25 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data