Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the gusty winds.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 18, 2008, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180; N4553J, was substantially damaged, when it impacted the ground during takeoff from runway 28 (2,560 by 75 feet) at The Farm Airport (01GE) in Wrightsville, Georgia. The pilot and his one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was departing at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported winds were variable at 10 knots gusting to 30 knots. The winds, 45 miles away in Macon, Georgia, were reported being from 270 degrees magnetic at 13 knots gusting to 21 knots.
The pilot said that after takeoff he added a second notch of flaps and retracted the gear. He said that at an altitude of 20-30 feet above the ground, a gust of wind caught the aircraft, and forced the nose up. The pilot then pushed the nose down and the aircraft was forced into bushes along the left side of the runway.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI08LA137