Othello, WA, USA
N9852T
Cessna 172A
During the takeoff roll from a private airstrip the nose wheel began to shimmy. In an effort to keep the airplane straight, the pilot applied right brake, but that didn't help. The aircraft then veered to the left before impacting a berm with its left wing and came to rest in an upright position.
On January 8, 2006, approximately 1300 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172A single-engine airplane, N9852T, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during takeoff near Othello, Washington. The certificated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was operated in accordance 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was originating from the pilot's private airstrip at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll from his private airstrip the nose wheel began to shimmy. The pilot stated that he thought he could keep it straight by applying right brake, but it didn't help and pulled to the left. The pilot reported that the airplane sustained substantial damage after impacting a dirt bank with its left wing and the front of the airplane prior to coming to rest upright. Damage to the airplane included the nose landing gear separating, the right main landing gear bent and twisted aft, both wings bent and wrinkled, and the empennage bent and twisted.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A factor was the berm.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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