On February 4, 2007, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N9670T) was involved in an aviation accident near Ontario, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot held the control yoke in the full aft position during the entire takeoff roll, causing the aircraft to use considerably more runway and ultimately settle into a reservoir off the departure end. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During initial climb, an aircraft descended into a reservoir after the pilot held the control yoke full aft throughout the takeoff roll, causing the aircraft to use excessive runway and settle off the departure end.
Accident Summary
An aircraft during its takeoff roll and initial climb descended into a reservoir located just off the departure end of the runway. The incident occurred after the pilot maintained the control yoke in a full aft position for the entire duration of the takeoff roll.
Sequence of Events
Due to the position of the control yoke, the aircraft required considerably more runway than it would have under normal circumstances with the yoke near-neutral. The aircraft lifted off approximately 1,600 feet down a runway with a total length of 1,840 feet. After becoming airborne, the aircraft traveled approximately 300 additional feet before settling into the reservoir, which was adjacent to the departure end of the runway.
Findings
No issues with the engine or flight controls were reported. The full aft position of the control yoke during the takeoff roll was the key action that led to the extended runway usage and the subsequent descent into the reservoir.
Probable cause
The pilot held the control yoke in the full aft position during the entire takeoff roll, causing the aircraft to use considerably more runway and ultimately settle into a reservoir off the departure end.