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GAA17CA498

2017-08-21 · Perryville, Missouri, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport PCD

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

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

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, he lost directional control. He added that the airplane veered to the left "abruptly", exited the runway, and struck a vertical approach slope indicator (VASI) light. The right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, he lost directional control. He added that the airplane veered to the left "abruptly," exited the runway, and struck a vertical approach slope indicator light. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, 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
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Runway/taxi/approach light-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA498.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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