Runway excursion involving student pilot training flight

No fatalities • Mojave-Air and Space Port (Kern County), United States of America • Takeoff (climb)

A training flight experienced a significant rightward drift during the takeoff roll, leading to an excursion from the runway and subsequent collision with berms.

What happened

During the takeoff roll, the aircraft began drifting toward the right side of the runway. The crew, consisting of a student pilot and a certified flight instructor, attempted to correct the yaw and drift, but these efforts were unsuccessful. As the aircraft approached the edge of the runway, the pilots chose not to apply the brakes or reduce engine power, believing that attempting to become airborne was a safer course of action than stopping on the pavement.

Upon leaving the runway surface, the aircraft type collided with several berms located adjacent to the runway. The impact resulted in the separation of the left engine and the left landing gear. Following this, the right landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to come to rest in a nose-down position. There were no reported fatalities or injuries in this incident.

Findings

An investigation into the accident revealed that the primary cause of the directional instability was an incorrect configuration during pre-flight procedures. During the pre-start checks, the student pilot had accidentally moved the rudder trim to the far right position while adjusting the rudder pedals. This full right rudder trim remained in that position throughout the takeoff roll and was confirmed to be in the same state during the post-accident inspection.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced an uncommanded yaw due to the rudder trim being inadvertently set to the full right position during pre-flight checks.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2009-02-04 Douglas DC-3 accident near Mojave-Air and Space Port (Kern County), United States of America?

A training flight experienced a significant rightward drift during the takeoff roll, leading to an excursion from the runway and subsequent collision with berms.

Were there any fatalities in the 2009-02-04 Douglas DC-3 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2009-02-04 involved a Douglas DC-3, registration N834TP, operated by National Test Pilot School, at Mojave-Air and Space Port (Kern County), United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft experienced an uncommanded yaw due to the rudder trim being inadvertently set to the full right position during pre-flight checks.

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