3 Aug 2012: CESSNA 172S — Aviation Adventures, LLC

3 Aug 2012: CESSNA 172S — Aviation Adventures, LLC

No fatalities • Culpeper, VA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an attempted takeoff.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

According to the pilot, the airplane touched down about halfway down the runway. The pilot’s intent was to perform a touch-and-go practice landing and takeoff. He applied takeoff power, retracted the flaps, and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot reported that he was unable to maintain directional control with aileron and rudder control inputs and elected to abort the takeoff. After he reduced power to idle the airplane departed the left side of the runway and continued approximately 100 yards before impacting a row of trees. A witness report corroborates the pilot’s landing description. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. In a phone interview the accident the pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • Contributed to outcome

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 190/06kt, vis 10sm

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