N237TA

Substantial
Minor

COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA P92 TAIL DRAGGERS/N: 1414

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
NTSB Number
ERA12CA547
Location
Elizabethtown, KY
Event ID
20120906X05903
Coordinates
37.685001, -85.921669
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 failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane during a takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to take off in gusty wind conditions associated with approaching thunderstorms.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
COSTRUZIONI AERONAUTICHE TECNA
Serial Number
1414
Engine Type
4-cycle
Year Built
2012
Model / ICAO
P92 TAIL DRAGGER
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
P92 TAIL DRAGGER

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
MID-ATLANTIC AIR VENTURES INC
Address
1426 WESTOVER GARDENS BLVD
City
RICHMOND
State / Zip Code
VA 23225-4137
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot initiated the takeoff roll in the tailwheel equipped airplane, raised the tail to a level attitude, and the airplane yawed to the right. The airplane’s nose pitched up and the airplane began to roll left, at which point the pilot attempted to regain directional control; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway into a bean field. The pilot reduced engine power to idle and utilized the wheel brakes; however, the airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard section of the right wing and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Weather radar data revealed that about the time of the accident a line of thunderstorms, associated with a front, were approaching the airport from the west and were observed over the airport about 8 minutes after the accident. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the recorded winds at the time of the accident were 320 degrees at 23 knots with peak winds of 27 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# ERA12CA547