The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he tried to abort the takeoff because he had not removed the bolt he had placed in the yoke for a gust lock.
He reported that the crosswind pushed the Cessna 172 off the right side of the runway at the airport in Sussex, N.J., into the grass, the airplane hit trees, and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage.
The pilot reported that the accident was due to him not removing the bolt in the yoke.
He added there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to remove the gust lock during the preflight inspection, resulting in a loss of control and collision with trees during takeoff.
NTSB Identification: GAA15CA088
This May 2015 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Jaymar Ruby the men’s clothier had their King Air run off the end of the runway at Meig’s several years ago for the same reason.
I guess I was taught “Controls free and CORRECT” to the point it is ingrained in me.
I might do something dumb some day but I doubt it will THAT.
That is why you have your check list on the sun visor.
Kudos to the pilot for recognizing the contol problem and dealing with it ON THE GROUND, during his takeoff run. Overlooking “controls FREE and CORRECT” is not just a failing of pilots who fly bug smashers. Within the last few years military pilots (placed a Jep manual under rudder pedal during maintenance check of rudder on the ground) and ‘professional’ civilian CJ crews (lax organizational culture – only 7 control checks in prior 160 flights) have failed to perform that simple, but essential check. At least this pilot escaped with minimal injuries.. He (as have many other pilots) used a bolt (no flag or streamer) as hia control lock. ‘Pro’ crews and many GA pilots who used bolts, pencils, jep manuals, or who simply failed to follow their checklists haven’t been so fortunate. As others have said, “Complacency Kills”. So does intentional use of unapproved parts.
I used to be F/O on DC-3. Many times we would leave the rudder gust lock in place, because taxiing with a strong wind would be almost impossible to direct the plane due to the large surface area of the rudder. Right before take-off, I would go out and retrieve the gust lock. It was part of our mental game to remember to remove or else no go.
It is called complacency. It happens, our training is supposed to overide that tendency.
For the life of me I cannot comprehend how a pilot fails to notice that a gust lock is still in place until it’s too late. Going through the checklist or even placing the controls during taxi appropriate for crosswinds should confirm this. I’m sorry but I have no sympathy for the pilot in this case.
My thought exactly. Every student pilot is taught to visually check Flight Controls Free and Correct.
Right one UP, Left one down, Elevator up, Elevator down.
In the typical trainer the pilots can see see the control surfaces and the controls can be boxed, control forward and right, then full aft, the full left and full forward. It only takes a few seconds to verify.
Airplanes coming out of maintenance have had control cables wrong on the pulleys and crashes are almost always the result.
Verify the correct routing of the controls.
Correct me if I’m wrong but this bolt would not have impeded the rudders for directional control to keep aircraft on runway.