NYC03LA071

Factual narrative

On March 23, 2003, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N2968Z, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Bolton Field (TZR), Columbus, Ohio. The certificated flight instructor (CFI), a private pilot, and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for the Anderson Regional Airport (AND), Anderson, South Carolina. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, the tail-wheeled airplane was recently purchased by the private pilot, who was also his brother-in-law. The private pilot had not flown regularly since 1983, and the CFI provided the private pilot flight instruction in the airplane, the day before the accident. During the accident flight, the CFI stated the private pilot began the takeoff roll from runway 22, a 5,500-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane was almost at takeoff speed when it began to veer to the right. The CFI took control of the airplane, and attempted to correct; however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and ground-looped. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. The CFI stated that they did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He also said the takeoff was attempted with "very little wind." Winds reported at the airport, at 1525, were calm. Examination of the runway by the Ohio State Highway Patrol revealed a tire mark began about 350 feet from the beginning of runway 22. A second parallel tire mark began to the left of the first tire mark, about 675 feet from the beginning of the runway, and both tire marks continued to the accident site. The airplane came to rest in a grass area, approximately 1,132 feet from the beginning of the runway. During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, both pilots were unsure if the private pilot had his feet positioned on the rudder pedals in such a way that he inadvertently applied brakes during the takeoff roll. The CFI and private pilot reported 600 and 280 hours of flight experience in make and model; respectively. The certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing flight instruction to the private pilot/owner of the tail-wheeled airplane. The CFI stated that the private pilot began the takeoff roll from the 5,500-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The airplane was almost at takeoff speed when it began to veer to the right. The CFI took control of the airplane, and attempted to correct; however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and ground-looped. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. Examination of the runway revealed a tire mark began about 350 feet from the beginning of the runway. A second parallel tire mark began to the left of the first tire mark, about 675 feet from the beginning of the runway, and both tire marks continued to the accident site. The airplane came to rest in a grass area, approximately 1,132 feet from the beginning of the runway. Both pilots were unsure if the private pilot had his feet positioned on the rudder pedals in such a way that he inadvertently applied brakes during the takeoff. Winds at the time of the accident were calm. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12