Summary
On February 14, 2017, a Beech A23 (N425RS) was involved in an accident near Beckwourth, CA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The student pilot’s inadvertent use of the control yoke to correct for a drift and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
The solo student pilot reported that, he had not flown for 45 days prior to the accident, due to inclement weather. He added that, during the touch-and-go takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left. He further added that, he attempted to correct for the drift by using the control yoke instead of the rudder. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a snow bank on the south side of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA148. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N425RS.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot’s inadvertent use of the control yoke to correct for a drift and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The solo student pilot reported that, he had not flown for 45 days prior to the accident, due to inclement weather. He added that, during the touch-and-go takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left. He further added that, he attempted to correct for the drift by using the control yoke instead of the rudder. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a snow bank on the south side of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA148