5 Dec 2018: Piper PA28 181 — Horizon Dreams Aviation

5 Dec 2018: Piper PA28 181 — Horizon Dreams Aviation

No fatalities • Cornelia, GA, United States

Probable cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain the runway heading during an attempted takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during a touch and go landing in a crosswind, and the student pilot on the controls, the airplane touched down on the runway centerline, "but without perfect longitudinal (heading) alignment", and the airplane veered left. The instructor took control of the airplane, added power to takeoff, but did not retract any of the "partial" flaps. She maintained the "slightly" offset direction during the takeoff roll and the airplane became airborne as it exited the left side of the runway. The left wing impacted trees and brush. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest at the bottom of a ravine.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 330° at 7 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The airplane landed on runway 6.

Contributing factors

  • cause Directional control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Instructor/check pilot
  • Effect on operation
  • Effect on operation
  • Contributed to outcome

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 330/07kt, vis 5sm

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