MOAB, UT, USA
N34783
Culver LFA
The pilot was taking off on runway 21. As he raised the tail for lift off (about 50 mph), the airplane 'abruptly swerved to left (90 degrees), [departed] the runway, crossed a dirt border about 6 feet wide, flipped on its back, and slid down to the bottom of a drainage ditch between the runway and the adjacent taxiway.' The pilot said the airplane was equipped with Goodyear 'expanded tube' brakes, known to lock up if overheated (brakes were used for landing and for taxi to takeoff). An airport mechanic attempted to turn the left main wheel by hand shortly after the accident, and found the wheel to be binding. The right wheel turned freely. Later, he tried again and the wheel turned freely.
On June 2, 2000, at 1305 mountain daylight time, a Culver LFA, N34783, registered to A Pair of Jacks, Inc., was destroyed when it collided with terrain during takeoff at Canyonlands Field, Moab, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a telephone interview and in the accident report, the pilot said he had stopped at Moab for fuel, and was taking off on runway 21, en route to Canon City, Colorado. As he raised the tail for lift off (about 50 mph), the airplane "abruptly swerved to left (90 degrees), [departed] the runway, crossed a dirt border about 6 feet wide, flipped on its back, and slid down to the bottom of a drainage ditch between the runway and the adjacent taxiway." The pilot said his airplane was equipped with Goodyear "expanded tube" brakes, known to lock up if they overheat (the pilot had used the brakes during landing and for taxi to takeoff). The airport mechanic attempted to turn the left main wheel by hand shortly after the accident, and found the wheel to be binding. The right wheel turned freely. Later, he tried again and the wheel turned freely.
Overheating of the left brake, causing the wheel to lock. Factors were the pilot not being able to maintain directional control, a dirt berm, and a drainage ditch.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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