Culver LFA N34783

Summary

On 2 June 2000 at about 19:05 local time, a Culver LFA registered N34783, operated by A Pair of Jacks, Inc., was involved in an accident near Moab, Utah, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 June 2000 at 19:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Moab, Utah, United States

Coordinates

38.5298, -109.5495

Aircraft

Culver LFA

Registration

N34783

Category

Airplane

Operator

A Pair of Jacks, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Canon City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Not Reported

NTSB number

DEN00LA100

Nobody was injured.

Overheating of the left brake, causing the wheel to lock. Factors were the pilot not being able to maintain directional control, a dirt berm, and a drainage ditch.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was taking off on runway 21. As he raised the tail for lift off (about 50 mph), the airplane 'abruptly swerved to left (90 degrees), [departed] the runway, crossed a dirt border about 6 feet wide, flipped on its back, and slid down to the bottom of a drainage ditch between the runway and the adjacent taxiway.' The pilot said the airplane was equipped with Goodyear 'expanded tube' brakes, known to lock up if overheated (brakes were used for landing and for taxi to takeoff). An airport mechanic attempted to turn the left main wheel by hand shortly after the accident, and found the wheel to be binding. The right wheel turned freely. Later, he tried again and the wheel turned freely.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.