Summary
On September 13, 2018, a Piper PA28 (N7223J) was involved in an accident near Spanish Fork, UT. 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 student pilot’s failure to maintain the runway heading during takeoff and the flight instructor’s decision to conduct primary flight instruction in an airplane without dual controls.
The flight instructor reported that, during takeoff, as the airplane reached rotation speed, the student took his feet off the rudder pedals. The airplane drifted left of the runway centerline, the student quickly placed his feet back on the pedals and pushed the right brake, which caused the airplane to veer right. The instructor, who did not have brakes on his side, applied left rudder, but the airplane departed the right side of the runway. During the runway excursion, the tail was heard dragging the ground or striking bushes.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA553. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7223J.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot’s failure to maintain the runway heading during takeoff and the flight instructor’s decision to conduct primary flight instruction in an airplane without dual controls.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The flight instructor reported that, during takeoff, as the airplane reached rotation speed, the student took his feet off the rudder pedals. The airplane drifted left of the runway centerline, the student quickly placed his feet back on the pedals and pushed the right brake, which caused the airplane to veer right. The instructor, who did not have brakes on his side, applied left rudder, but the airplane departed the right side of the runway. During the runway excursion, the tail was heard dragging the ground or striking bushes. Subsequently, the airplane aligned with the runway, but fearing damage to the tail, the instructor aborted the takeoff and landed the airplane on the side of the runway, striking large mounds of dirt and a ditch.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
The flight instructor 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# GAA18CA553