According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped, experimental airplane, the Golden Circle Air T Bird II bounced to the left side of the runway at the airport in Wiscassett, Maine, during the takeoff roll.
He thought the airplane would “straighten itself out.”
However, the airplane’s tail lifted, and the airplane continued to the left.
The left main landing gear hit a snowbank, and the airplane exited the left side of the runway, coming to rest in the safety area.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.
The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 4 kts and the sky was clear.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA105
This December 2017 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.
Learn from the misfortune of others
Sign up now to receive NTSB Accident Reports and GA news in your email inbox. Join 110,000+ fellow aviators.
This accident is typical for pilots neglecting coordination: The airplane veers to the left due to the p-factor, the pilot tries to correct with left ailerons. The increased drag on the left wing reinforces the tendency to the left and the aircraft leaves the runway before getting airborne.
Antidote: Maintain directional control with rudder only.
I think you mean right aileron. Yes – I think it is the muscle memory from driving a car that makes this a very common tendency.
Warren, you are right. The pilot tried to correct with ailerons to the right which makes the left tendency increase.