Accident Overview
On March 26, 2016, at approximately 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna 180A airplane, registration N9659B, impacted terrain during an attempted departure from the Del Rio International Airport (KDRT) in Del Rio, Texas. The private rated pilot and a passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, the takeoff roll began on runway 31. As the airplane's tail came up, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot reported being unable to correct the turn. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and came to rest on its left side.
Inspection Findings
An inspection by the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. Additionally, the inspector did not find any evidence of a brake or wheel problem with the airplane.
Weather Conditions
At 0903, the automated weather observation facility at KDRT recorded wind from 130 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 17 knots, visibility 10 miles, an overcast sky at 900 feet, temperature 57 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure 29.88 inches of mercury. Earlier observations: at 0853, wind from 120 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 miles, overcast at 1,000 feet; at 0823, wind from 110 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, broken clouds at 1,200 feet.