Event ERA10CA360

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll on runway 32, the airplane "started going to the right." He applied "full" left rudder to correct, "but could not push back to the right." The airplane departed the left side of the runway into grass, and became airborne over a pond prior to impacting a taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures. Reported weather at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 290 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot stated that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the right. He corrected by applying left rudder, but he was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the left side of the runway into grass, and became airborne over a pond prior to impacting a taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures. The reported weather at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, included wind from 290 degrees at 9 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

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