Pilot Debrief

FLIGHT DESIGN CTSW near Marion, NC — 2020-12-13

Final reportERA21LA073
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Date
2020-12-13
Location
Marion, NC, USA
Airport
9A9
Aircraft
FLIGHT DESIGN CTSW
Registration
N138CT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff, resulting in a rejected takeoff and runway excursion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger were departing for a cross-country flight in calm wind conditions. Shortly after liftoff, at an airspeed of about 46 knots, the airplane suddenly yawed to the right and came back down on the runway. The pilot elected to reject the takeoff. The airplane continued to veer to the right, and the airplane departed the runway and entered an area of soft terrain. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Following the accident, the pilot thought that the rudder had malfunctioned. However, examination of the flight controls revealed no evidence of a preaccident malfunction or anomaly. Thus, the pilot likely did not maintain yaw control of the airplane during the takeoff.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff earlier after initial yaw.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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