Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI93LA168

WASHINGTON, MO, USA

Aircraft #1

N10011

CESSNA 150L

Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WAS DEMONSTRATING A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. BOTH THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT REPORTED SEEING THE MOWING TRACTOR OFF THE WEST SIDE OF THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF. BOTH STATED THAT AS THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE WAS LOWERED AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THEY SAW THE TRACTOR DIRECTLY TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE. THE CFI STATED HE VEERED RIGHT IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE TRACTOR; HOWEVER, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE ROLL BAR OF THE TRACTOR. THE CFI REDUCED THE POWER AND LANDED ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. THE TRACTOR OPERATOR STATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE TAKING OFF AND WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN TO MOVE FURTHER AWAY FROM THE RUNWAY WHEN THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK THE TRACTOR. A SLIGHT RIGHT CROSSWIND WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports