Summary
On August 05, 2004, a Piper PA-20 (N1529A) was involved in an incident near Glendale, AZ. All 2 people 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 directional control during the takeoff roll.
On August 5, 2004, at 0734 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N1529A, collided with terrain during takeoff at Glendale Municipal Airport, Glendale, Arizona. The private pilot owned the airplane, and was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight was originating at Glendale.
The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). He stated that he was purchasing the airplane, and made an acceptance flight with the seller. The seller made the initial takeoff from a 3-point attitude. The pilot then did three landings and two takeoffs.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX04CA286. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1529A.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 5, 2004, at 0734 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N1529A, collided with terrain during takeoff at Glendale Municipal Airport, Glendale, Arizona. The private pilot owned the airplane, and was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight was originating at Glendale.
The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). He stated that he was purchasing the airplane, and made an acceptance flight with the seller. The seller made the initial takeoff from a 3-point attitude. The pilot then did three landings and two takeoffs. For his takeoffs, the pilot raised the tail as soon as the elevator was effective, accelerated to takeoff speed, and rotated. He had been trained using this technique. He had never attempted a takeoff using a 3-point attitude.
After the acceptance flight, the pilot discussed takeoff technique with the seller, and decided that he would attempt the seller's 3-point technique on his flight home. During the takeoff roll, the airplane swerved left. The pilot stated that he undercorrected. The airplane departed the left side of the runway at a low speed, crossed a taxiway, and impacted a ditch.
The pilot indicated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX04CA286