On 30 Aug 2013, a HOSKINS SAMUEL R QUICKIE Q2 operated by HOSKINS SAMUEL R was involved in an aviation accident near Zelienople, PA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff due to right main landing gear contact with a pool of standing water on the runway which resulted in a runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
During departure from a runway with a displaced threshold, an airplane's right wheel encountered shallow standing water, causing it to veer right. It continued into grass and impacted a slope, resulting in a broken left canard.
Accident Details
According to the pilot, the departure was initiated from runway 17, which has a 500-foot displaced threshold. As the airplane accelerated, the right wheel entered a shallow pool of standing water on the runway surface. This caused the airplane to veer to the right. The aircraft continued off the runway into the grass, where it traveled down a slope and impacted the base of that slope.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the left canard (front wing) had fractured at its mid-span point. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Airport Information
Examination of the standing water indicated it was approximately one inch deep. According to the airport manager, the water originates from a runoff stream that flows under the runway. A review of the airport's Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) showed that the presence of this standing water was not reported.
Contributing factors
Causes
Effect on operationEffect on equipmentPilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained