N779RB – BEECH 35 – 2013-08-18 NTSB Accident Report

On August 18, 2013, a Beech 35 (N779RB) was involved in an incident near Wheeling, IL. All 3 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 loss of control due to the passenger’s inadvertent application of left rudder during the takeoff roll.

The pilot and two passengers planned on a local flight. The beginning of the takeoff roll was normal, with light winds down the runway. According to the pilot, when the airplane reached about 60-65 knots, the right seat passenger inadvertently pushed on the left rudder pedal. The pilot was unable to stop the turn; the airplane departed the runway surface and proceeded down a grass embankment. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the outboard section of the left wing and aileron. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN13CA499. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N779RB.