Summary
On March 11, 2003, a Piper PA-12 (N78559) was involved in an incident near Buena Vista, CO. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the crosswind weather condition and gusty wind condition.
On March 11, 2003, at approximately 1200 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-12, N78559, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Central Colorado Regional Airport, Buena Vista, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot had not filed a flight plan.
A witness said the airplane was departing on runway 15, and exited the left side of the runway and went down a steep 100 foot embankment. The pilot said that a "gust of wind hit me just as I was lifting off." The local meteorologist said that the wind was 210 to 270 degrees 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots.
This incident is documented in NTSB report DEN03LA048. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N78559.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the crosswind weather condition and gusty wind condition.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 11, 2003, at approximately 1200 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-12, N78559, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Central Colorado Regional Airport, Buena Vista, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot had not filed a flight plan.
A witness said the airplane was departing on runway 15, and exited the left side of the runway and went down a steep 100 foot embankment. The pilot said that a "gust of wind hit me just as I was lifting off." The local meteorologist said that the wind was 210 to 270 degrees 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The airplane's left wing was bent down, and the fuselage was bent and twisted.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN03LA048