On October 28, 1989, a Piper PA-38 (registration N2412N) was involved in an aviation accident near Lafayette, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot allowed the left wheel to drop off the pavement during taxi, which damaged the left brake rotor and caused brake drag, resulting in the aircraft veering left and colliding with a ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During taxi for takeoff, the pilot allowed the left wheel to drop off the pavement. On takeoff roll, the aircraft veered left, exited the runway, and hit a ditch about 600 feet from the start of the roll. Post-crash inspection found left brake rotor damage caused by the wheel drop, leading to brake drag.
Incident Summary
An aircraft experienced a runway excursion during takeoff after the left wheel dropped off the pavement while taxiing. The subsequent takeoff roll resulted in a left veer that took the aircraft off the runway and into a ditch.
Sequence of Events
While taxiing for takeoff, the pilot allowed the left wheel to drop off the pavement. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft veered left, departed the runway, and collided with a ditch approximately 600 feet from the beginning of the takeoff roll.
Post-Crash Examination
A post-crash examination of the airplane by an FAA-certified mechanic revealed that the left brake rotor had been damaged when the wheel dropped off the pavement. This damage caused the brake to drag.
Probable cause
The pilot allowed the left wheel to drop off the pavement during taxi, which damaged the left brake rotor and caused brake drag, resulting in the aircraft veering left and colliding with a ditch.