N1800L

On July 6, 2000, approximately 1410 mountain daylight time, a Beech G18S, N1800L, operated by Wild Blue Yonder, Inc., of Goldsby, Oklahoma, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during takeoff roll at Taos Municipal Airport, Taos, New Mexico. The commercial certificated flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originiating at the time of the accident.

According to the instructor-pilot in command, the private pilot receiving instruction initiated the takeoff on runway 22. At approximately 40 mph, she raised the tail off the ground in preparation for liftoff. The airplane veered to the left and the instructor assumed control and aborted the takeoff. The right vertical stabilizer struck a runway light before the airplane came to a stop on the left side of the runway. In addition, some wing skin was found wrinkled, and the right main tire had deflated after striking sage brush.

The flight instructor told an FAA inspector that as power was increased for takeoff, the right throttle was advanced slightly ahead of the left throttle. He said this, in combination with the gusty crosswind, caused the airplane to veer left off the runway.

The wind, as reported by the pilot and as recorded by AWOS-3 (Automated Weather Observing System) about 5 minutes after the accident, was from 180 degrees at 17 knots (19 mph), with gusts to 24 knots (28 mph). This would present a 40 degree left quartering headwind.

N1800L was not equipped with Geisse safety gear. According to the Crosswind Component Chart contained in the Beech G18S "Flight Handbook," the maximum safe crosswind component was not exceeded.