N414L

Substantial
Minor

LOEHLE AIRCRAFT CORP LOEHLE P-40S/N: P150968827WE-RG

Accident Details

Date
Monday, October 3, 2011
NTSB Number
ERA12CA013
Location
Tullahoma, TN
Event ID
20111006X33238
Coordinates
35.380001, -86.246665
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N414L
Make
LOEHLE AIRCRAFT CORP
Serial Number
P150968827WE-RG
Year Built
1994
Model / ICAO
LOEHLE P-40

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
HALE MAURICE G
Address
100 KINGSRIDGE BLVD
Status
Deregistered
City
TULLAHOMA
State / Zip Code
TN 37388-4805
Country
United States

Analysis

Shortly after initiating the takeoff and just after the landing gear of the experimental airplane left the ground, the airplane banked about 10 degrees left. The pilot initially assumed the bank had been induced by a crosswind, but the bank continued to increase as the airplane's speed increased. The pilot then leveled the airplane about 75 feet above the ground and slowed to 50 mph in an attempt to evaluate the control issues. While applying full right control stick and full right rudder, the bank would not decrease, so the pilot attempted to perform a forced landing with the bank angle now reaching about 45 degrees. When the pilot decreased engine power the nose of the airplane rose, the airplane stalled, and then spun to the left. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the nose, cockpit, and left wing. The airplane was examined at the scene by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The inspector noted that the airplane's ballistic parachute system had not activated and he was not able to observe any broken flight control cables, but due to the extent of impact-related damage to the airplane, was unable to verify operation of the ailerons. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "Immediate precautionary/aborted landing should have been undertaken upon first indication of control issues on takeoff…"

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA013