Pilot Debrief

FAIRCHILD M 62A-3 near Madison, OH — 2016-08-30

Final reportCEN16LA342
Sign in to save
Date
2016-08-30
Location
Madison, OH, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
FAIRCHILD M 62A-3
Registration
N47164
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and his improper use of flaps during takeoff, which degraded the airplane's climb performance and resulted in a collision with trees.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot and one passenger departed in a vintage airplane from a private airstrip. During the takeoff, the airplane would not climb with full engine power, and it collided with trees about 1/2 mile from the end of the runway. An examination of the airplane revealed that the flaps were in the "down" position. However, the Before Takeoff checklist stated, "flaps up," for takeoff. The pilot reported that he normally took off with one notch of flaps. It is likely that the pilot's failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and his use of the wrong flaps setting for takeoff degraded the airplane's climb performance.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured flaps were up before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

Related mishaps