What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2000-09-21 involved a Schweizer G-164B, registration N3626T, at Corcoran, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Factors were the pilot's failure to ensure that the fuel tank cover was replaced properly, fuel contamination of the windscreen, and the sun angle that obscured the pilot's vision.

Aircraft Veers into Cotton Field After Fuel Spill Obscures Windshield (N3626T)

On September 21, 2000, a Schweizer G-164B (registration N3626T) was involved in an aviation accident near Corcoran, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

During refueling, Jet A fuel spilled on the windshield. The pilot cleaned it but residue obscured vision during takeoff, causing a veer into a cotton field.

Event

The airplane veered into a cotton field during takeoff from a dirt canal bank.

Refueling and First Attempt

During refueling, Jet A fuel was spilled on the windshield. The pilot cleaned the windshield and attempted a takeoff. Residual fuel started collecting on the windshield and he aborted the takeoff. He cleaned the windshield more thoroughly and attempted a second takeoff.

Second Takeoff

As the airplane reached flying speed, fluid once again collected on the windshield and obscured his vision. He was departing to the east into the rising sun and lost his forward visual reference. He said there was not sufficient runway remaining to reject the takeoff, therefore he continued.

Collision

The airplane gained less than 5 feet of altitude and drifted about 20 degrees left. The airplane collided with cotton plants about 2 feet tall, and continued about 300 feet through the field before coming to rest. The right main gear and spray boom separated, and the upper wing partially separated.

2000-09-21: Schweizer G-164B (N3626T) — Corcoran, CA