Helmetag GLASSAIR III N26H

Summary

On 7 May 2006 at about 18:48 local time, a Helmetag GLASSAIR III registered N26H was involved in an accident near Aurora, Illinois, United States. 2 people were 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

7 May 2006 at 18:48

Classification

Accident

Location

Aurora, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Aurora Muni (ARR)

Coordinates

41.7719, -88.4756

Aircraft

Helmetag GLASSAIR III

Registration

N26H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Aurora → Syracuse

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI06CA126

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A contributing factor was the airport sign impacted during the runway excursion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged during takeoff when the pilot lost directional control. The pilot stated, "During the takeoff roll the aircraft drifted left. I corrected and increased throttle." He reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane continued to drift left, and he continued to correct. The pilot continued, "Near liftoff speed (80 kts), [the airplane] drifted again. I couldn't control the plane with full rudder or right brake. (It has no steerable nosewheel.) When the left wheel hit the grass, I lost control." The airplane subsequently impacted an airport sign during the runway excursion and came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. No damage consistent with a pre impact failure was observed during the post accident examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.