Piper PA-28-180 N7811W

Summary

On 10 August 2013 at about 13:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-180 registered N7811W, operated by R. Evan Gallant, was involved in an accident near Poteau, Oklahoma, 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

10 August 2013 at 13:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Poteau, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

Robert S. Kerr (KRKR)

Coordinates

35.0194, -94.6214

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-180

Registration

N7811W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

R. Evan Gallant

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Poteau → Poteau

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13CA475

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s application of excessive left rudder during the takeoff roll, resulting in a loss of directional control, his failure to correct the excursion with opposite rudder, and his failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 23-hour student pilot was attempting a soft field takeoff. He stated that he began the takeoff roll and applied full aft elevator control. As the nose came up and the airplane lifted off the ground, he lowered to nose slightly. He thought he may have applied too much left rudder because he noticed the airplane was headed towards the left side of the runway and grass. He reduced power and touched down on the runway. The airplane continued towards the grass. The pilot applied full power and the airplane continued the excursion. The pilot said he "froze" and was "just along for the ride." He could not recall any further details. The left wing, outboard of the fuel tank, was torn off and the right main landing gear was embedded in the right wing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.