Summary
On May 25, 2013, a Boswell John J AIR CAM 912S (N220AC) was involved in an accident near West Palm Beach, FL. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll on a runway 08L, a 3,679-foot by 75-foot, turf runway, as full power was applied, the airplane veered to the left off the runway, and the pilot attempted to arrest the turn by applying full right rudder. After liftoff, when the airplane was about 5 feet above ground level, the airplane in response to the rudder input then turned to the right, and settled back onto the runway. The airplane then impacted the runway in a level right turn, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA13CA277. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N220AC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll on a runway 08L, a 3,679-foot by 75-foot, turf runway, as full power was applied, the airplane veered to the left off the runway, and the pilot attempted to arrest the turn by applying full right rudder. After liftoff, when the airplane was about 5 feet above ground level, the airplane in response to the rudder input then turned to the right, and settled back onto the runway. The airplane then impacted the runway in a level right turn, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The winds reported at an airport 12 miles to the southeast of the accident location were variable from 040 degrees at 11 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# ERA13CA277