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CEN12CA380

2012-06-15 · Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SBM

Current FAA registration · N721SM

Make / Model
PIPER PA-28-181
Year of manufacture
2000 · 12 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20000331
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9A8DF

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

Factual narrative

During takeoff from runway 21 at an airspeed of 50 knots, the airplane's right wing began to lift. When the pilot attempted to lower the right wing, the airplane veered to the left. The airplane continued to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane entered a ditch and came to rest upright partially submerged in water. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. As the airplane accelerated through about 50 knots during the takeoff roll, the airplane's right wing began to lift. When the pilot attempted to lower the right wing, the airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane entered a ditch and came to rest upright and partially submerged in water. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_CEN12CA380.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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