Event LAX04CA286

Factual narrative

On August 5, 2004, at 0734 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-20, N1529A, collided with terrain during takeoff at Glendale Municipal Airport, Glendale, Arizona. The private pilot owned the airplane, and was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight was originating at Glendale. The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). He stated that he was purchasing the airplane, and made an acceptance flight with the seller. The seller made the initial takeoff from a 3-point attitude. The pilot then did three landings and two takeoffs. For his takeoffs, the pilot raised the tail as soon as the elevator was effective, accelerated to takeoff speed, and rotated. He had been trained using this technique. He had never attempted a takeoff using a 3-point attitude. After the acceptance flight, the pilot discussed takeoff technique with the seller, and decided that he would attempt the seller's 3-point technique on his flight home. During the takeoff roll, the airplane swerved left. The pilot stated that he undercorrected. The airplane departed the left side of the runway at a low speed, crossed a taxiway, and impacted a ditch. The pilot indicated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. During the takeoff roll the airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with a ditch. The pilot usually raised the tail as soon as the elevator was effective, accelerated to takeoff speed, and rotated. On this flight he was attempting a 3-point takeoff technique that he had been shown, but never attempted himself. During the takeoff roll he lost directional control, departed the left side of the runway at a low speed, crossed a taxiway, and impacted a ditch. The pilot indicated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12