N18338

Substantial
None

PIPER PA18-150S/N: 18-8285

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, November 2, 2008
NTSB Number
CEN09CA079
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Event ID
20081202X34003
Coordinates
38.850276, -104.089447
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

Loss of directional control due to an encounter with a weather phenomena at rotation.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
18-8285
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1965
Model / ICAO
PA18-150PA18
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
PA-18-150

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
CARPENTER JEFF D
Address
PO BOX 751015
City
FAIRBANKS
State / Zip Code
AK 99775-1015
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, he was attempting to depart from an unimproved private airstrip. As the airplane rotated for lift-off at 35 to 40 miles per hour, it was "hit by a dust devil." The airplane rotated ninety degrees to the right and the application of full opposite control inputs failed to re-establish directional control. The airplane impacted terrain causing the left landing gear to collapse, followed by the collapse of the right landing gear, which resulted in multiple propeller ground strikes. The airplane sustained a bent right wing spar. The pilot reported the weather conditions at the time of the accident as a variable seven to ten knot wind, gusting to 12 to 15 knots. An hourly weather observation taken at the time of the accident 39 miles west of the accident site showed the wind to be 170 at four knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA079