Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL90LA021

LAFAYETTE, GA, USA

Aircraft #1

N2412N

PIPER PA-38

Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, PILOT ALLOWED LEFT WHEEL TO DROP OFF PAVEMENT. DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, AIRCRAFT VEERED LEFT, WENT OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH ABOUT 600 FEET FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY AN FAA CERTIFIED MECHANIC REVEALED THE LEFT BRAKE ROTOR HAD BEEN DAMAGED WHEN THE WHEEL DROPPED OFF THE PAVEMENT, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE TO DRAG.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER LEFT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INSPECT THE AIRPLANE WHEEL FOR DAMAGE AFTER IT DROPPED OFF THE RUNWAY DURING TAXI.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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