Winnsboro, LA, USA
N4952Q
Cessna A188B
The 342-hour commercial pilot lost directional control of the tailwheel equipped airplane while attempting to takeoff from a 3,000-foot long by 75-foot-wide asphalt runway. The airplane exited the right side of the runway. The winds at the time of the accident were reported as calm.
On August 15, 2005, approximately 0700 central daylight time, a single-engine Cessna A188B agricultural aircraft, N4252Q, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control during take-off at the Winnsboro Municipal Airport (F89), near Winnsboro, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.. The 342-hour pilot stated in a telephone interview with a NTSB representative that he had just returned to Winnsboro, Louisiana, after having completed an agricultural pilot flight training course in Florida. The pilot reported he was using the accident airplane to build flight time until he could be placed on the agricultural application companies insurance. The pilot further stated he had flown the 300-horsepower airplane twice prior to the accident date and claimed that the tailwheel equipped airplane had a tendency to veer to the left during the take-off and landing rolls. On the day of the accident, the pilot stated he applied full takeoff power, began the take-off roll, and the aircraft veered to the left. The pilot added that he attempted to correct the situation and "came off the power and compensated with right rudder." The airplane then made a 180-degree turn to the right, causing the right wing to drag on the grass and collapsing the right main landing gear. The Winnsboro Municipal Airport features a single 3,000-foot wide by 75-foot wide asphalt runway (18/36). Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the right main landing gear was folded aft and the right wing structure was damaged. At 0653, the automated weather observing system at the Monroe Regional Airport (MLU), near Monroe, Louisiana, located approximately 28 miles northwest of the accident site reported wind calm, visibility nine statute miles, clear sky, temperature 70 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.10 inches of Mercury.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the take-off roll.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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