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ANC24LA035

2024-05-16 · Afton, Wyoming, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport AFO

Current FAA registration · N9998D

Make / Model
PIPER PA-22-150
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19590525
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ADF786

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The commercial pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing was the student pilot’s application of brakes during the takeoff roll and the failure of both pilots to maintain a positive transfer of controls.

Factual narrative

The commercial pilot, seated in the right seat, and the student pilot and airplane owner, seated in the left seat, reported that the purpose of the flight was a local flight in the student pilot’s newly acquired airplane. Both pilots reported that they had just met for the first time just before the accident flight. The commercial pilot added that she was unaware that the airplane owner was only a student pilot. The student pilot reported that, during takeoff, the commercial pilot applied full power, the airplane lifted off the runway momentarily, settled back onto the runway surface, then subsequently lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, struck two fences, and nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and wing struts. The commercial pilot reported that, during takeoff roll, the student pilot was in control of the airplane. The commercial pilot stated that the student pilot held full power and brakes throughout the accident sequence. Review of photos taken at the accident site show witness marks on the runway surface, adjacent taxiway, and grass consistent with the application of brakes throughout the accident sequence. The brakes are only operable from the left seat in the accident airplane. The student pilot reported that, during a postaccident inspection of the airplane, he found that the elevator trim was set to the full nose-up position. The commercial pilot and the student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Communication (personnel)-CRM/MRM techniques-Flight crew

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_ANC24LA035.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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