WEST CHESTER, PA, USA
N2943F
PIPER PA-28RT-201
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, SOME OSCILLATION IN THE CONTROLS FOR THE NOSEWHEEL STEERING WAS NOTED. AT ABOUT 45 KTS, HE APPLIED BACK PRESSURE TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD ON THE NOSEWHEEL AS HE HAD DONE IN THE PAST. HE REPORTED THAT SINCE HE WAS ONLY 65 INCHES TALL, HIS FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED AFTER BACK PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. AT ROTATION SPEED, HE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AHEAD. HE TRIED TO LIFT OFF & CLEAR OVER THE EQUIPMENT, BUT ABOUT 1 SECOND AFTER ROTATING, HE HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE NOSE GEAR LOCKING IN PLACE. HE CONTINUED THE CLIMB & WAS ADVISED THAT THE LEFT WING TIP HAD STRUCK THE EQUIPMENT. HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A PIECE OF DITCH DIGGING EQUIPMENT THAT HAD BEEN PARKED APRX 8 FT FROM THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RWY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
