Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 18-135 near Kent, OR — 2014-04-12

Final reportWPR14CA166
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Date
2014-04-12
Location
Kent, OR, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
PIPER PA 18-135
Registration
N1394Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane had spent the morning practicing hilltop landings with a second airplane, as a flight of two. The hilltop where the accident occurred was the third landing location. The landing was uphill and uneventful, and after coming to a stop he parked the airplane, exited, and went for a hike. After returning, the first airplane departed downhill successfully, with the accident airplane in trail. The pilot reported that once airborne, the airplane drifted left, and did not respond fully to his control inputs. He further stated that a slight upslope air movement was present, and that the slipstream from the propeller of the leading airplane may have contributed to the loss of control. The left wingtip struck a tree and the airplane tumbled. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the forward cabin during the accident sequence.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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