Summary
On November 12, 2009, a American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC (N315AC) was involved in an incident near Clarksville, TN. 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. Contributing to the accident was his decision to take off with a left quartering tailwind.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane stated that he elected to depart from runway 17 with a wind from 050 degrees at 7 knots with gusts to 9 knots, though runway 05 was available. During the takeoff roll, he, "lost directional control." The airplane departed the runway into a grassy area on the left side of the runway, where it ground looped substantially damaging the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies. The weather reporting facility at the accident airport reported that approximately 38 minutes before the accident and 22 minutes after the accident, the wind was from the east-northeast at 6 to 7 knots.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA10CA061. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N315AC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was his decision to take off with a left quartering tailwind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane stated that he elected to depart from runway 17 with a wind from 050 degrees at 7 knots with gusts to 9 knots, though runway 05 was available. During the takeoff roll, he, "lost directional control." The airplane departed the runway into a grassy area on the left side of the runway, where it ground looped substantially damaging the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies. The weather reporting facility at the accident airport reported that approximately 38 minutes before the accident and 22 minutes after the accident, the wind was from the east-northeast at 6 to 7 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# ERA10CA061