TAFT, CA, USA
N10AW
WEBER-MUSTANG II DIAMOND
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on the south-facing runway, the aircraft drifted off to the left side of the runway. The left wingtip impacted the bushes and the aircraft swerved left into the brush off the runway. The landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from approximately 090 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.
On September 12, 1998, at 1535 hours Pacific daylight time, a Weber-Mustang II Diamond, N10AW, ground looped on takeoff at a private airstrip 5 miles east of the Taft-Kern County Airport, Taft, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he was taking off on the south-facing runway. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft drifted off to the left side of the runway. The left wingtip impacted the bushes and the aircraft swerved left into the brush off the runway. The landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from approximately 090 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft prior to the accident.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the takeoff roll.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
