Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA18 near Larimore, ND — 2021-07-24

Final reportCEN21LA337
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Date
2021-07-24
Location
Larimore, ND, USA
Airport
2L1
Aircraft
PIPER PA18
Registration
N83411
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane began turning left immediately after takeoff and did not seem to be responding to his control inputs. His attempts to maintain control were not successful and the airplane climb rate was deteriorating with the engine at full power. He recalled attempting to “pull back” as the airplane impacted the trees. The airplane sustained damage to the fuselage and both wings. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity with no evidence of a preimpact flight control anomaly.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after loss of control was evident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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