N3903B

Substantial
None

Howard Super Sky RaiderS/N: 07

Accident Details

Date
Monday, October 20, 2008
NTSB Number
CEN09CA028
Location
Tuscola, IL
Event ID
20081021X13714
Coordinates
39.780834, -88.306114
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff roll. A contributing factor was the cornfield and the pilot's lack of recent experience.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
HOWARD
Serial Number
07
Engine Type
4-cycle
Year Built
2008
Model / ICAO
Super Sky RaiderBPAT
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
SUPER SKYRAIDER

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
JOHNSON TIMOTHY W
Address
1321 BOWEN ST
City
OSHKOSH
State / Zip Code
WI 54901-3927
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff from an unpaved runway. During the takeoff roll, the tail wheel equipped, amateur-built airplane started to "angle to the right." The pilot applied hard left rudder pedal, but the airplane continued to turn right and went off the right side of the 30-foot wide runway, and traveled about 35 feet into a cornfield. The airplane was equipped with heel brakes on the bottom of the rudder pedals, but applying pressure to the top of the rudder pedals operated the rudder. The inspection of the airplane revealed that the rudder operated correctly when the left and right rudder pedals were actuated. The right brake actuated when the right brake pedal was applied. The left brake was not actuated due to the impact damage to the left landing gear leg and wheel. The pilot's logbook indicated that he had not flown between 1981 and August 2008. The pilot had flown 1 hour in the accident airplane with an instructor pilot. The accident flight was the pilot's first solo flight in the accident airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA028