Pilot Debrief

Czech Aircraft Works SPOL SRO SportCruiser near Waynesville, OH — 2012-07-15

Final reportCEN12LA445
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Date
2012-07-15
Location
Waynesville, OH, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
Czech Aircraft Works SPOL SRO SportCruiser
Registration
N516JG
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The airplane's collision with fence posts during an aborted takeoff due to a sudden change in wind direction.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the accident occurred while he was departing his private airstrip. He stated that he noticed an “abrupt change” in the wind direction about halfway down the runway during the takeoff roll. The wind direction reportedly shifted from a left crosswind to a tailwind condition. The pilot stated that he decided to abort the takeoff because he was unsure if the airplane would clear trees located off the departure end of the runway. He attempted to steer the airplane into an adjacent field, but it impacted two fence posts hidden in shrubbery before coming to rest. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Although the weather data obtained from a nearby observing station established that the wind direction was variable, it did not corroborate the pilot's observation of a tailwind condition. However, there were several thunderstorms in the vicinity of the accident site that could have resulted in localized wind changes that were not detected by the weather observing station.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff earlier upon noticing wind change.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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