No fatalities

14 May 2014: PIPER PA-28-151 — CHESAPEAKE AVIATION SERVICES LLC — Norfolk, VA

Norfolk, VA, United States

On 14 May 2014, a PIPER PA-28-151 operated by CHESAPEAKE AVIATION SERVICES LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Norfolk, VA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student 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 student pilot with about 11 hours of total flight experience struck parked construction equipment after the airplane yawed left during a takeoff attempt. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were found; a left crosswind at 6 knots was recorded.

Accident Details

The student pilot reported that, after completing an uneventful solo takeoff and landing, he taxied the airplane for another takeoff attempt on the 4,057-foot-long, 70-foot-wide asphalt runway. During the takeoff attempt, the airplane yawed left. The student pilot tried to correct the yaw with right rudder input, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck parked construction equipment.

Aircraft and Pilot Information

The student pilot had accumulated about 11 hours of total flight experience at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the sequence of events following the successful landing.

Examination Findings

An FAA inspector examined the wreckage and noted damage to the nosegear, left wing, and firewall. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, nor did the student pilot report any such issues.

Weather Conditions

The recorded wind at the airport at the time of the accident was a left crosswind at 6 knots.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedStudent/instructed pilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome