Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX01LA224

Mesa, AZ, USA

Aircraft #1

N7336Q

Cessna 182P

Analysis

During takeoff the airplane lost directional control, landed on the left side of the runway, collided with a ditch, crossed back over the runway, and came to rest on the right side of the runway. The pilot reported that a wind disturbance turned him to the left of the runway and made it hard to control the airplane. He stated the winds were reported as 40 degrees off to the right of the runway heading at 11 knots and there were no gusts. The closest weather reporting station was Phoenix Sky Harbor airport (PHX) about 17 statute miles east of Mesa airport, and at 1156, was reporting the winds to be 250 at 13 knots.

Factual Information

On June 29, 2001, at 1215 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182P, N7336Q, veered off the runway and collided with a ditch while landing at Mesa, Arizona. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the certificated private pilot was not injured. Structures, Inc., was operating the airplane as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 at the time of the accident. The local flight had originated from Falcon Field, Mesa, about 1210. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 22R. Between the landing and takeoff of a touch-and-go landing, he retracted the flaps, applied full throttle, and turned off the carburetor heat. He did not verify that the trim was in the correct takeoff position. After liftoff, the airplane lost directional control, landed to the left of the runway, crossed back over the runway, and came to rest on the right side of the runway. The pilot stated the winds were reported as 40 degrees to the right of the runway heading at 11 knots, and there were no gusts. The closest weather reporting station was Phoenix Sky Harbor airport (PHX) about 17 statute miles east of Mesa airport, and at 1156, was reporting the winds to be 250 at 13 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper use of the rudder control to correct for torque and P-factor effects, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground loop/swerve.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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