On January 12, 1976, a Rockwell Aero Commander 560 (registration N2692B) operated by A. S. Wikstrom was involved in an aviation accident near Skaneateles, United States of America during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Ground loop during takeoff run after the pilot diverted attention from operation of aircraft. Contributing factors: failed to maintain directional control, failed to abort takeoff, failed to follow approved procedures, airport conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine airplane struck a snowbank and rolled inverted after liftoff at Skaneateles Airstrip. The sole pilot was killed.
Accident Details
Shortly after liftoff from Skaneateles Airstrip, a twin-engine airplane touched back down on the runway and began drifting to the left. The left main landing gear struck a snowbank, and the pilot continued the takeoff. The airplane then went out of control and rolled inverted, resulting in the death of the pilot, who was the sole occupant.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a ground loop during the takeoff run following the pilot's diverted attention from the operation of the aircraft. Contributing factors included the pilot's failure to maintain directional control, failure to abort the takeoff, failure to follow approved procedures, and airport conditions.