No fatalities

14 Apr 2012: CESSNA 150M — WIMPEY ROBERT J — Cedartown, GA

Cedartown, GA, United States

On 14 Apr 2012, a CESSNA 150M operated by WIMPEY ROBERT J was involved in an aviation accident near Cedartown, GA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel airplane veered left during takeoff on runway 28 despite the pilot's right brake application. The aircraft departed the runway's south side and came to rest upright with the right main landing gear separated and structural damage to the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident inspection found no preimpact failure of the landing gear.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that the windsock indicated wind from 210 degrees at 8 knots at the time of the accident. Based on this information, the pilot elected to depart from runway 28. The tailwheel-equipped airplane was back-taxied to the approach end of the runway, then aligned with the runway centerline. The pilot applied power for takeoff.

Sequence of Events

During the takeoff roll, the tail rose as expected. After several hundred feet, the airplane began veering to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation by applying right brake, but the corrective action was unsuccessful. The airplane continued to the left, departing the south side of the runway.

Post-Accident Condition

The aircraft came to rest upright. The right main landing gear had separated from the airplane. Inspection of the airframe revealed structural damage to the right wing and the right horizontal stabilizer.

Inspection Findings

A postaccident examination of the separated right main landing gear was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector. The inspection found no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction in the landing gear assembly.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot