Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-12 near Eatonville, WA — 2023-09-22

Final reportWPR23LA356
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Date
2023-09-22
Location
Eatonville, WA, USA
Airport
2W3
Aircraft
PIPER PA-12
Registration
N7955H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while taking off in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, he experienced a wind gust that lifted the left wing upwards and caused the right wing to contact the runway. Subsequently, he lost directional control of the airplane, resulting in a ground loop and impact with a berm. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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