On December 9, 2005, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N2584S) was involved in an aviation accident near Prineville, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Aircraft control not maintained by the private pilot during the initial takeoff climb, and the improper remedial action by the flight instructor. A factor was the wind gust. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A non-current private pilot, with a flight instructor present, initiated a takeoff. During a steep climb at 30 feet, a gust lifted the left wing, causing a roll to the right. The throttle was closed, and the airplane impacted the runway side, resulting in a propeller strike and collapsed main landing gear.
Accident Sequence
The non-current private pilot, occupying the front seat, initiated the takeoff. The flight instructor was seated in the rear seat. As the airplane climbed steeply at an altitude of approximately 30 feet above ground level, a gust of wind lifted the left wing. This caused the airplane to roll over to the right. Following a command from the flight instructor, the front-seat pilot closed the throttle. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the side of the runway in a nose-down, wings-level attitude. The impact resulted in a propeller strike and the collapse of both main landing gear.
Aircraft Condition
No anomalies were reported with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.