Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX89LA094

SHOW LOW, AZ, USA

Aircraft #1

N8162W

PIPER PA-28-180

Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT SHE HAD SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED HER SECOND TOUCH AND GO LANDING AND WAS BEGINNING HER THIRD TAKEOFF, WHEN SHE REMEMBERED THAT SHE STILL HAD THE AIRPLANE IN A FULL FLAP CONFIGURATION. SHE STATED THAT SHE ADDED POWER TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHEN SHE REACHED DOWN TO RETRACT THE FLAPS. THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT OF CENTERLINE, DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT SHE MAY HAVE STEPPED ON THE LEFT RUDDER AS SHE TRIED TO RETRACT THE FLAPS. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE DURING THE ACCIDENT.

Probable Cause and Findings

DELAYED RETRACTION OF FLAPS AND THE INADVERTENT APPLICATION OF LEFT RUDDER DUE TO DIVERSION OF ATTENTION RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE'S DEPARTURE FROM THE RUNWAY. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE INEXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT PILOT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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