Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff roll. A contributing factor was the gusting crosswind weather condition.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On September 29, 2001, at approximately 1515 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub, N999MP, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during takeoff roll at Deming Municipal Airport, Deming, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, received minor injuries. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight that was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed.
The pilot said that he was departing on runway 08 when his right wing was lifted up by a gust of wind. He said the left wing struck the runway, and the airplane subsequently ground looped to the left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, and came to rest in the inverted position. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the engine mount, the outboard 8 feet of the right wing, and the rudder were bent.
The fixed base operator manager said that the wind was from 170 degrees at 15 knots, gusting from 20 to 25 knots at the time of the accident. The pilot said that he had flown 9 hours on the day of the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN01LA166