Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC12CA045

Ketchikan, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N3235J

CESSNA 150G

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he departed from runway 29, a dry, paved runway, with a slight left quartering tailwind. As the airplane accelerated, it veered to the left with full right rudder applied. The airplane turned right, and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot said that the accident might have been avoided if he had used a different runway.

Factual Information

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was departing a dry paved runway, which required a correction for a slight left quartering tailwind. As the airplane accelerated, it veered to the left, with full right rudder applied. The airplane turned right, and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. In the pilot’s written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board he noted that the accident might have been avoided if he had used a different runway.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s decision to take off with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of control.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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