Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA32R near Marathon, FL — 2018-01-25

Final reportERA18LA070
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Date
2018-01-25
Location
Marathon, FL, USA
Airport
MTH
Aircraft
PIPER PA32R
Registration
N47863
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that the airplane "was performing well and didn't have any issues" during the attempted takeoff. When the airplane reached about 60 knots during the takeoff roll, the nosewheel lifted off the runway, and the airplane began immediately turning left. The pilot attempted to arrest the turn with rudder and aileron control inputs, but the airplane continued to turn left, exited the runway, and impacted trees. Given that the airplane had been performing as expected initially, it is likely that the pilot failed to adequately compensate for the airplane's natural left turning tendencies due to torque effects during the attempted takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff to prevent loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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