Pilot Debrief

KENDALL W R/MCLAUGHLIN J RANS S-10 SAKOTA near Bennettsville, SC — 2011-06-12

Final reportERA11CA339
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Date
2011-06-12
Location
Bennettsville, SC, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
KENDALL W R/MCLAUGHLIN J RANS S-10 SAKOTA
Registration
N444YB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight familiarization of the airstrip.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he attempted to take off from a grass airstrip on a runway that sloped upwards to the crest of a hill. He began the takeoff roll midway up the slope with his forward visibility limited due to the slope's inclination and the taildragger configuration of the airplane. Upon reaching the crest of the hill, the pilot realized that the runway doglegged about 40 degrees to the left, but the airplane was traveling too fast at that point to be able to make the turn. The airplane left the runway and continued down an adjacent road before veering into a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and noted that the accident could have been prevented had he taxied to the crest of the hill first and performed a visual check prior to beginning the takeoff attempt.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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