N3711P

On May 16, 1998, approximately 1600 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150 single engine airplane, N3711P, owned and operated by Flight Maintenance Inc., was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff roll, at the Searcy Municipal Airport, near Searcy, Arkansas. The flight instructor and the instrument rated private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local instructional flight. The flight originated from the Searcy Municipal Airport, at 1500.

During a telephone interview with a representative of the NTSB, the private pilot stated that he was in the process of purchasing the tail wheel equipped airplane. The purpose of the flight was for the private pilot to "familiarize" himself with the airplane.

The private pilot and instructor pilot reported the following events in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The 1,800 hour private pilot, who was flying from the left seat, landed the airplane on runway 01. During the landing roll, the flight instructor retracted the flaps and directed him to "go around." The private pilot applied power, and the airplane began to veer to the right of the runway centerline. Both pilots reported that they applied full left aileron, left rudder and left brake; however, the airplane continued turning to the right. The airplane turned 90 degrees to the right, exited the runway and came to rest nose down in a drainage ditch, upright between the runway and a taxiway.

The instructor pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was from 350 degrees at 10 knots and the visibility was at least 10 statute miles.

An FAA representative examined the airplane and reported that the left side of the fuselage was buckled and a portion of tubing located on the underside of the main fuselage was displaced "8 inches." The inspector added that he did not find any evidence of a mechanical malfunction.