On 7 Jul 2018, a Rockwell 114 Undesignat was involved in an aviation accident near CORSICANA, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain the runway heading during a soft-field takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a rejected takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a practice soft field takeoff, the airplane drifted left, right rudder was ineffective, and the pilot landed off the runway, striking a tree and fence with the left wing.
Accident Details
A pilot reported that during a practice soft field takeoff in light wind conditions, after the nose wheel lifted off the runway, he released aft pressure on the yoke. The airplane entered ground effect and felt normal, but then began to drift left. The pilot applied right rudder, but the input had little effect. Because the landing gear had not yet been retracted, he landed the airplane on the grass off the end of the runway. During the ground roll, the left wing struck a tree and went through a barbed wire fence.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that around the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 5 knots. The pilot departed on runway 32.