N444YB

Substantial
None

KENDALL W R/MCLAUGHLIN J RANS S-10 SAKOTAS/N: 1JB

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, June 12, 2011
NTSB Number
ERA11CA339
Location
Bennettsville, SC
Event ID
20110612X51056
Coordinates
34.734722, -79.668334
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate preflight familiarization of the airstrip.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
KENDALL W R/MCLAUGHLIN J
Serial Number
1JB
Engine Type
2-cycle
Year Built
1993
Model / ICAO
RANS S-10 SAKOTASA02
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
RANS S-10 SAKOTA

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
HERRING MORRIS CLIFFORD JR
Address
103 REYNARD PATH
City
CLINTON
State / Zip Code
NC 28328-3117
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, he attempted to take off from a grass airstrip on a runway that sloped upwards to the crest of a hill. He began the takeoff roll midway up the slope with his forward visibility limited due to the slope's inclination and the taildragger configuration of the airplane. Upon reaching the crest of the hill, the pilot realized that the runway doglegged about 40 degrees to the left, but the airplane was traveling too fast at that point to be able to make the turn. The airplane left the runway and continued down an adjacent road before veering into a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and noted that the accident could have been prevented had he taxied to the crest of the hill first and performed a visual check prior to beginning the takeoff attempt.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA339