Event ERA25LA022

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane yawed left during takeoff and initial climb. At about 15 ft above ground level, he was unable to regain directional control and reduced engine power to land back onto the runway. The airplane landed left of the runway centerline, veered left, and then exited the left side of the runway. During the excursion, the nose and right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest in a grassy area adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and right wing. Post-accident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the rudder trim indicator was positioned to a partial nose left trim setting. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to all flight control surfaces. The examination revealed that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that additional right rudder input could have prevented the accident. 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).

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